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<p>Microbial symbionts play critical roles in host ecology and evolution, yet the influence of host ecological traits on symbiont genome evolution remains insufficiently explored. This study investigated selective pressures on genes of <i>Buchnera aphidicola</i>, the obligate endosymbiont of <i>Tuberculatus</i> aphids, by comparing ant-attended and non-attended species. Phylogenetic analyses and codon-based models (RELAX) were used to assess genes involved in glycolysis (<i>pgi</i>), cell division (<i>gidA</i>), amino acid metabolism (<i>ilvD</i>, <i>leuC</i>, <i>trpB</i>, <i>trpE</i>), and housekeeping functions (<i>dnaB</i>, <i>groEL</i>). A concatenated analysis of seven genes (excluding <i>groEL</i>) revealed significantly intensified purifying selection in <i>Buchnera</i> associated with ant-attended aphids. Individually, <i>gidA</i> and <i>pgi</i> also exhibited intensified purifying selection, likely reflecting increased metabolic demands linked to frequent honeydew excretion. In contrast, relaxed selection was detected on the tryptophan biosynthesis gene <i>trpB</i>, consistent with enhanced amino acid leakage into honeydew under ant attendance. No significant differences in selective pressures were observed for other genes, including those associated with housekeeping functions. These findings demonstrate that mutualistic interactions with ants can alter selective pressures on symbiont genomes, underscoring the influence of host ecology on symbiont evolution and metabolic function.</p>

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Ant attendance shapes the selective pressures on the genes of the endosymbiont Buchnera in Tuberculatus aphids

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月12日

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  • Izumi Yao

摘要

Microbial symbionts play critical roles in host ecology and evolution, yet the influence of host ecological traits on symbiont genome evolution remains insufficiently explored. This study investigated selective pressures on genes of Buchnera aphidicola, the obligate endosymbiont of Tuberculatus aphids, by comparing ant-attended and non-attended species. Phylogenetic analyses and codon-based models (RELAX) were used to assess genes involved in glycolysis (pgi), cell division (gidA), amino acid metabolism (ilvD, leuC, trpB, trpE), and housekeeping functions (dnaB, groEL). A concatenated analysis of seven genes (excluding groEL) revealed significantly intensified purifying selection in Buchnera associated with ant-attended aphids. Individually, gidA and pgi also exhibited intensified purifying selection, likely reflecting increased metabolic demands linked to frequent honeydew excretion. In contrast, relaxed selection was detected on the tryptophan biosynthesis gene trpB, consistent with enhanced amino acid leakage into honeydew under ant attendance. No significant differences in selective pressures were observed for other genes, including those associated with housekeeping functions. These findings demonstrate that mutualistic interactions with ants can alter selective pressures on symbiont genomes, underscoring the influence of host ecology on symbiont evolution and metabolic function.