Cytoplasmic incompatibility

Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is a mating incompatibility reported in many arthropod species that is caused by intracellular parasites such as Wolbachia. These bacteria reside in the cytoplasm of the host cells (hence the name cytoplasmic incompatibility) and modify their hosts' sperm in a way that leads to embryo death unless this modification is 'rescued' by the same bacteria in the eggs. CI has been reported in many insect species (including amongst many others mosquitoes, Drosophila fruit flies, flour beetles, snout moths and parasitoid wasps), as well as in mites and woodlice. Aside from Wolbachia, CI can be induced by the bacteria Cardinium, Rickettsiella, Candidatus Mesenet longicola and Spiroplasma. CI is currently being exploited as a mechanism for Wolbachia-mediated disease control in mosquitoes.

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