Efficient procedure for purification of obligate intracellular Wolbachia pipientis and representative amplification of its genome by multiple-displacement amplification.

Bacteria belonging to the genus Wolbachia are obligatory microendocytobionts that infect a variety of arthropods and a majority of filarial nematode species, where they induce reproductive alterations or establish a mutualistic symbiosis. Although two whole genome sequences of Wolbachia pipientis, for strain wMel from Drosophila melanogaster and strain wBm from Brugia malayi, have been fully completed and six other genome sequencing projects are ongoing (http://www.genomesonline.

Molecular adaptation of Chrysochus leaf beetles to toxic compounds in their food plants.

Herbivores that feed on toxic plants must overcome plant defenses and occasionally may even benefit from them. The current challenge is to understand how herbivores evolve the necessary physiological adaptations and which changes at the molecular level are involved. In this context we studied the leaf beetles genus Chrysochus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae).

Mate choice and toxicity in two species of leaf beetles with different types of chemical defense.

Evidence for the use of defensive compounds for sexual purposes is scarce, even though sexual selection might have some importance for the evolution of defensive traits. This study investigates the effect of defense-related traits and body size on mating success in two sister species of leaf beetle differing in their type of chemical defense. Oreina gloriosa produces autogenous cardenolides, whereas O.