Manipulative Tenants: Bacteria Associated with Arthropods: 1 (Frontiers in Microbiology) - Tapa dura

In the English edition of his landmark book Endosymbiosis of Animals with Plant Microorganisms (1965), Professor Paul Buchner, probably the most prominent founder of systematic symbiosis research, wrote: “I too soon fell victim to the spell of this subject, and from 1911 on devoted myself to it.” Almost half a century later, a growing number of entomologists are recognizing the impact that arthropod-bacteria symbiosis has on virtually all aspects of the biology of both host and symbiont. The discussion of this subject tends to be system based, with primary emphasis on the insect host. However, recent screening studies have revealed that the diversity of bacteria associated with arthropods may not be as wide as initially expected, and some genera are constantly being found in hosts that belong to distantly related taxa.

Manipulative Tenants: Bacteria Associated with Arthropods introduces the fascinating world of bacteria-arthropod associations with an emphasis on the bacterial partner. Written by an interdisciplinary team of international contributors, this book provides an overview of the diversity of bacterial symbionts identified to date as frequent partners of terrestrial arthropods. It discusses primary (obligatory) symbionts as well as the most abundant secondary (facultative) symbionts currently known.

Summarizing the most up-to-date information available on each symbiont, the book presents a synopsis of the field from the bacterial angle. Chapters examine Proteobacteria, including Sodalis and Wigglesworthia in tsetse flies and Stammerula and other symbiotic bacteria in fruit flies, as well as Bacteroidetes such as Blattabacterium and Cardinium. The book also identifies questions that emerge from the study of these systems. This comprehensive reference introduces the topic of bacteria-arthropod associations to researchers who are not familiar with it, enlarges the scope of knowledge of those who are, and provides a textbook for students in microbiology and other branches of biology.

Kostas Bourtzis, PhD, is a professor of molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry in the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Western Greece. His research is focused on the interactions between insect pests/disease vectors and symbiotic bacteria, with special emphasis on Wolbachia-mediated cytoplasmic incompatibility, genetic manipulation of Wolbachia, the molecular mechanism of cytoplasmic incompatibility, and Wolbachia genomics. His group has recently shown that Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility can be used as a means to suppress insect pest populations.

Einat Zchori-Fein, PhD, is a researcher in the Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, Israel. Her research is focused on the interactions between insect pests and symbiotic bacteria, with special emphasis on the diversity and phenotypes of secondary symbionts of the sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci, horizontal transmission of secondary symbionts, and the multitrophic interactions among plants, plant pathogens, arthropod vectors, and natural enemies.

Per their research interests and personal beliefs, Prof. Bourtzis and Dr. Zchori-Fein are the chair and vice chair of the EU COST Action FA0701, Arthropod Symbioses: From Fundamental Studies to Pest and Disease Management, dedicated to promoting the use of endosymbiotic bacteria as a tool for the development of environmentally friendly approaches for the control of arthropods of medical and agricultural importance.