Host range of naturally and artificially evolved symbiotic bacteria for a specific host insect

Abstract

ABSTRACTDiverse insects are intimately associated with specific symbiotic bacteria, where host and symbiont are integrated into an almost inseparable biological entity. These symbiotic bacteria usually exhibit host specificity, uncultivability, reduced genome size, and other peculiar traits relevant to their symbiotic lifestyle. How host-symbiont specificity is established at the very beginning of symbiosis is of interest but poorly understood. To gain insight into the evolutionary issue, we adopted an experimental approach using the recently developed evolutionary model of symbiosis between the stinkbugPlautia staliandEscherichia coli. Based on the laboratory evolution ofP. stali-E. colimutualism, we selected ΔcyaAmutant ofE. colias an artificial symbiont ofP. stalithat has established mutualism by a single mutation. In addition, we selected a natural cultivable symbiont ofP. staliof relatively recent evolutionary origin. These artificial and natural symbiotic bacteria ofP. staliwere experimentally inoculated to symbiont-deprived newborn nymphs of diverse stinkbug species. Strikingly, the mutualisticE. coliwas unable to establish infection and support growth and survival of all the stinkbug species except forP. stali, uncovering that host specificity can be established at a very early stage of symbiotic evolution. Meanwhile, the natural symbiont was able to establish infection and support growth and survival of several stinkbug species in addition toP. stali, unveiling that a broader host range of the symbiont has evolved in nature. Based on these findings, we discuss what factors are relevant to the establishment of host specificity in the evolution of symbiosis.IMPORTANCEHow does host-symbiont specificity emerge at the very beginning of symbiosis? This question is difficult to address, because it is generally difficult to directly observe the onset of symbiosis. However, recent development of experimental evolutionary approaches to symbiosis has brought about a breakthrough. Here we tackled this evolutionary issue using a symbioticEscherichia colicreated in laboratory and a naturalPantoeasymbiont, which are both mutualistic to the stinkbugPlautia stali. We experimentally replaced essential symbiotic bacteria of diverse stinkbugs by the artificial and natural symbionts ofP. stali, and evaluated whether the symbiotic bacteria evolved for a specific host can establish infection and support growth and survival of heterospecific hosts. Strikingly, the artificial symbiont showed strict host specificity toP. staliwhereas the natural symbiont was capable of symbiosis with diverse stinkbugs, which provide insight into how host-symbiont specificity can be established at early evolutionary stages of symbiosis.