Quantifying Wolbachia infection rates in Monarch and Queen Butterflies

• In Event: Poster Presentation and Judging for: Biomedical; Cell & Molecular Biology; Chemistry & Biochemistry; Marine Science; Systematics & Evolutionary Biology.
  In Poster Session: Systematics & Evolutionary Biology Poster Session

Abstract

Monarch (Danaus plexippus) and queen (D. gilippus) butterflies are common, ecologically important components of terrestrial ecosystems throughout North America. Monarchs are of special interest due to their annual long-distance migration from the US to overwintering grounds in Mexico. Recent data suggest a decline in monarchs, possibly linked to a decrease in their food supply, loss of overwintering habitat and/or bacterial infection. Maternally-inherited male-killing bacteria infect many insect species, and are known to infect monarchs in the eastern US. The effect of these male-killing parasites on the health and structure of local butterfly populations is unknown. The purpose of this study was to screen for the maternally-inherited male-killing bacteria Wolbachia in local monarch and queen butterfly populations. During 2014 and 2015, 203 butterfly specimens were collected from around the campus of Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX. Sex ratios and basic ecological information were recorded. PCR amplification using Wolbachia-specific primers was used to screen for the presence of these parasites in butterfly tissue. PCR products were checked using gel electrophoresis with a size standard to ensure that amplified products matched the expected size, and representative samples were verified with DNA sequencing. Thus far, DNA has been extracted from around 140 butterflies, and Wolbachia-specific primers have amplified Wolbachia from three butterflies. One of these samples has been sequenced which positively confirmed its identify as Wolbachia. This is a low occurrence of Wolbachia, but matches what has been reported in other studies. Once we have DNA sequences for all positive samples, we will compare DNA sequences to determine which Wolbachia lineages are infecting monarch and queen butterflies.

Authors

• Kendall Wermine, Abilene Christian University

• Christian Williams, Abilene Christian University

• Rebecca - Hunter, Abilene Christian University