Influential Passengers Inherited Microorganisms and Arthropod Reproduction [Paperback]

Interest in the way in which symbiotic bacteria can manipulate reproduction in their invertebrate hosts has risen rapidly in recent years. Discoveries have ranged from bacteria that can determine the likelihood of their fruitfly hosts finding a partner to mate with to bacteria infecting woodlice that can cause sex changes in offspring. This unique book is the first comprehensive and systematic review of the 'reproductive parasites'. Written by leading experts in the field, it explores not only the intriguing theoretical questions raised by the relationships between symbiotic bacteria and their hosts, but also discusses a number of exciting practical applications, such as potential for controlling the reproduction of disease transmitting insects. Chapters on sex reversal, sex-ratio distortion, and evolution are also included. This timely and up-to-date volume will be important reading for researchers and students in the fields of entomology, evolution, ecology, genetics, and microbiology.

The evolution of heritable symbionts
Cytoplasmic incompatability in insects
Inherited microorganisms and sex determination of arthropod hosts
Wolbachia-induced parthenogenesis
Cytoplasmic sex-ratio distorters
The potential application of inherited symbiont systems to pest control

Three of the six chapters of this book are written by the editors; they concern the evolution of heritable endosymbionts, insect cytoplasmic incompatibility (inDrosophila, Tribolium, Nasonia, and mosquitoes), and possible relationships between symbionts and pest control. . . . Richard Stouthamer has contributed a well-plotted and informative chapter,Wolbachia-induced parthenogenesis. . . . The complementary chapter by Hurst et al. covers male-killing and sex-ratio distorters (i.e., the prevention of Y or 'null' or Z chromosomes from participating in embryonated eggs), and that by Rigaud reviews pertinent situations in isopods and amphipods, among other crustaclS.