Wolbachia infections have been described in several Drosophila species, but relatively few have been assessed for phenotypic effects. Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is the most common phenotypic effect that has been detected, while some infections cause male killing or feminization, and many Wolbachia infections have few host effects. Here, we describe two new infections in a recently described species, Drosophila pandora, one of which causes near-complete CI and near-perfect maternal transmission (the “CI” strain). The other infection is a male killer (the “MK” strain), which we confirm by observing reinitiation of male production following tetracycline treatment. No incompatibility was detected in crosses between CI strain males and MK strain females, and rare MK males do not cause CI. Molecular analyses indicate that the CI and MK infections are distantly related and the CI infection is closely related to the wRi infection of Drosophila simulans. Two population surveys indicate that all individuals are infected with Wolbachia, but the MK infection is uncommon. Given patterns of incompatibility among the strains, the infection dynamics is expected to be governed by the relative fitness of the females, suggesting that the CI infection should have a higher fitness. This was evidenced by changes in infection frequencies and sex ratios in population cages initiated at different starting frequencies of the infections.
CI strain_Cytoplasmic Incompatibility
Lab collected crossing data for CI strain of Drosophila pandora, used to evaluate Cytoplasmic Incompatibility. Data from two experiments (Jan 2014 and April 2014), showing the number of hatched/unhatched eggs collected and scored, and the number of male and female progeny collected and scored. Crosses where no mating occurred excluded for analysis but identified here for completeness.
MK strain_Crosses
Lab collected crossing data for MK strain of Drosophila pandora, used to evaluate Cytoplasmic Incompatibility where CI68+ is the MK strain. Data showing the number of hatched/unhatched eggs collected and scored, and the number of male and female progeny collected and scored. Crosses where no mating occurred excluded for analysis but identified here for completeness.
MK strain_28 Degree Age
Lab collected data evaluating female age and progeny sex ratio for MK strain of Drosophila pandora (strain C168+). Data shows the number of male and female progeny collected and scored when females at 28 degrees.
MK strain_28 Degree Male Crosses
Lab collected data for crosses between the CI and MK strains of Drosophila pandora, using males reared at 28 degrees (and including rare males from the MK line). Data shows the number of hatched/unhatched eggs collected and scored, and the number of male and female progeny collected and scored. Crosses where no mating occurred excluded for analysis but identified here for completeness.
CI and MK strains_Fecundity
Lab collected data for CI and MK strains of Drosophila pandora, used to evaluate Fecundity. Data showing the number of eggs collected. Crosses where no mating occurred excluded for analysis but identified here for completeness.
CI and MK strains_Population Expt_Sex Ratio Score
Lab collected data for population monitoring experiment with different starting frequencies of the MK strain of Drosophila pandora (10, 25, 50, 75 and 90%). Data shows the number of females and males in a random sample of 100 progeny from each replicate after five generations.Treatment refers to the starting frequency of the MK infection.
CI and MK strains_Population Expt_Infection Score
Lab collected data for population monitoring experiment with different starting frequencies MK strain of Drosophila pandora (10, 25, 50, 75 and 90%). Data shows the infection type of a random sample of 50 females from each replicate after five generations. Treatment is the starting frequency of the MK strain. The MK infection is scored as '1' and the CI infection is scored as '0'.
CI strain_Maternal Transmission
Laboratory data for the CI strain of Drosophila pandora showing the relationship between maternal transmission of Wolbachia and egg hatch rate, where a high egg hatch rate corresponds with imperfect Wolbachia transmission. Crosses for which mating did not occur were excluded from analysis, but are included here for completeness.