Presence and distribution of the endosymbiont Wolbachia among Solenopsis spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Brazil and its evolutionary history

Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria that commonly infect arthropods. Its prevalence among ants of the genus Solenopsis is high. In the present study, the presence and distribution of these endosymbionts was examined among populations of Solenopsis spp. from Brazil. A phylogenetic analysis based on the wsp gene was conducted to infer the evolutionary history of Wolbachia infections within the populations surveyed. A high frequency of Wolbachia bacteria was observed among the genus Solenopsis, 51% of the colonies examined were infected. Incidence was higher in populations from southern Brazil. However, little genetic variability was found among different Wolbachia strains within supergroups A and B. Our findings also suggest that horizontal transmission events can occur through the social parasite S. daguerrei.

Graphical abstractThe study investigate the presence and distribution of the endobacteria Wolbachia in populations of Solenopsis ant genus from Brazil, using wsp gene.Download full-size imageHighlights► Presence and the distribution of Wolbachia in ants of Solenopsis spp. from Brazil. ► Analysis based on wsp gene sequences and phylogenetic analysis. ► A high frequency of Wolbachia bacteria was observed among the genus Solenopsis. ► Little genetic variability was found among different Wolbachia strains. ► Horizontal transmission could be occurring through the social parasite S. daguerrei.