First report of Wolbachia in Damaeus onustus (Acari: Oribatida)

Purpose Little is known about the distribution and phylogeny of bacterial endosymbionts in oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida). Thus, we undertook the issue of occurrence of these microbial symbionts in this arthropod group. Methods We used PCR technique for detection of Wolbachia in Damaeus onustus . Phylogenetic analysis of the bacterium was conducted based on the 16S rDNA sequence. Results To the best of our knowledge, we present a novel finding of Wolbachia infection in the sexually reproducing oribatid mite, D. onustus . The presence of uninfected individuals (ca. 93%) suggests that the bacteria do not function as primary symbionts. A comparison of the bacterial 710-bp 16S rDNA sequence detected in the oribatid mite with the sequences deposited in GenBank revealed its 92–93% similarity to the 16S rDNA sequences of Wolbachia identified in some springtails (Collembola) and Bryobia sp. mite. Bacteria from D. onustus showed phylogenetic relationships with Wolbachia from springtails, Megalothorax minimus and Neelus murinus , which were included by other authors into a separate Wolbachia clade. Conclusion Our finding suggests that the strains of Wolbachia from D. onustus may form a new Wolbachia supergroup.