Heat Treatment of the Adzuki Bean Borer Leads to Sexually Mosaic Offspring
Author Information
Author(s): Sakamoto Hironori, Kageyama Daisuke, Hoshizaki Sugihiko, Ishikawa Yukio
Primary Institution: Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo
Hypothesis
Can heat treatment of Wolbachia-infected female adzuki bean borers induce the production of sexually mosaic progeny?
Conclusion
Heat treatment of infected female moths resulted in the production of sexually mosaic offspring, indicating that Wolbachia interferes with sex determination.
Supporting Evidence
- Wolbachia-infected females treated at 36°C produced seven sexually mosaic progeny.
- Heat treatment resulted in a shorter time lag for the appearance of mosaic progeny compared to antibiotic treatment.
- All progeny from infected mothers at 25°C developed into normal females.
Takeaway
When we heat certain moths infected with a bacteria, they can have babies that look like a mix of boys and girls.
Methodology
Infected female moths were treated with high temperatures and their offspring were examined for sexual mosaic phenotypes.
Limitations
Only two out of seven sexually mosaic pupae successfully emerged as adults.
Participant Demographics
Adult female adzuki bean borers collected in Matsudo, Chiba, Japan.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p > 0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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