ERATO Evolving Symbiosis Project International Seminar Series #32

Dr. Aileen Berasategui (Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Netherland)
“Origin and evolution of a defensive symbiosis in tortoise beetles”

Abstract: Many insects rely on microbial protection early in development. However, in contrast to symbiont-mediated defense of eggs and young instars, the role of microbes in safeguarding pupae remains relatively unexplored, despite the susceptibility of the immobile stage to antagonistic challenges. My talk will address the importance of symbiosis in ensuring pupal protection by describing a mutualistic partnership between the ascomycete Fusarium oxysporum and Chelymorpha alternans, a leaf beetle. Leveraging bioassays and genomic data, I will discuss a) the potential mechanisms underlying this symbiosis, b) the genomic consequences for the symbiont, as well as c) the origin and evolution of this mutually beneficial interaction. Collectively, our findings shed light on a mutualism predicated on pupal protection of an herbivorous beetle in exchange for symbiont dissemination and propagation.

ERATO Evolving Symbiosis Project International Seminar Series #32
Sponsored by ERATO FUKATSU Evolving Symbiosis Project
https://www.jst.go.jp/erato/fukatsu/english/

Co-sponsored by Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability (MiCS), University of Tsukuba
https://www.mics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en