A mite species that consists entirely of haploid females.
Science
; 292(5526): 2479-82, 2001 Jun 29.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11431565
ABSTRACT
The dominance of the diploid state in higher organisms, with haploidy generally confined to the gametic phase, has led to the perception that diploidy is favored by selection. This view is highlighted by the fact that no known female organism within the Metazoa exists exclusively (or even for a prolonged period) in a haploid state. We used fluorescence microscopy and variation at nine microsatellite loci to show that the false spider mite, Brevipalpus phoenicis, consists of haploid female parthenogens. We show that this reproductive anomaly is caused by infection by an undescribed endosymbiotic bacterium, which results in feminization of haploid genetic males.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Gram-Negative Bacteria
/
Haploidy
/
Mites
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Science
Year:
2001
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Netherlands