BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many species of filarial nematodes are infected with Wolbachia pipientis, a maternally inherited endosymbiont. In addition to manipulating host reproduction, these bacteria also affect the evolution of the mitochondrial DNA with which they are transmitted. Selective sweeps can establish a single mitochondrial lineage within a Wolbachia-infected population and purge genetic diversity. While this phenomenon has been studied in insect model systems, it has not been thoroughly examined in a filarial nematode.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patterns of mitochondrial diversity were examined in Dirofilaria immitis, a Wolbachia-infected species.RESULTS: The levels of genetic diversity observed in canine heartworm were much lower than those in related species not known to be hosts of Wolbachia.CONCLUSION: RESULTS suggest that a maternally inherited endosymbiont can depress mitochondrial diversity in a filarial host.
Animals Carnivora