We present here the hologenome theory of evolution, which considers the holobiont (the
animal or plant with all of its associated microorganisms) as a unit of selection in evolution …

Insect heritable symbionts have proven to be ubiquitous, based on molecular screening of
various insect lineages. Recently, molecular and experimental approaches have yielded an …

Symbiotic relationships between animals and microorganisms are common in nature, yet the
factors controlling the abundance and distributions of symbionts are mostly unknown …

Psyllids, whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs are members of the suborder Sternorrhyncha
and share a common property, namely the utilization of plant sap as their food source. Each …

Aphids engage in symbiotic associations with a diverse assemblage of heritable bacteria. In
addition to their obligate nutrient-provisioning symbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, aphids may …

Symbiotic microbes have become increasingly recognized to mediate interactions between
natural enemies and their hosts. The ecologies of these symbioses, however, are poorly …

Natural populations of pea aphids in California contain at least two facultative bacterial
secondary symbionts (pea aphid secondary symbiont, PASS, or pea aphid rickettsia, PAR) …

Background Recent genomic analyses of arthropod defense mechanisms suggest
conservation of key elements underlying responses to pathogens, parasites and stresses. At …

Natural enemies are important ecological and evolutionary forces, and heritable variation in
resistance to enemies is a prerequisite for adaptive responses of populations. Such variation …

Symbiosis is prevalent throughout the tree of life and has had a significant impact on the
ecology and evolution of many bacteria and eukaryotes. The benevolence of symbiotic …