Candidatus Cardinium

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Fig. 1. Electron micrographs of ‘Candidatus Cardinium’ in ovaries of Encarsia parasitoid wasps. (a) Bacteria in a follicle cell of E. hispida. (b–d) Bacteria in sexual E. pergandiella nurse cells. (e) Bacteria in an E. hispida oocyte. Arrowheads point to MLSs; l, lipid-filled vacuoles in the oocyte; m, mitochondrion; p, protein. Bars, 0·25 µm.

Classification

Domain (Bacteria); Super Phylum (Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi group); Phylum (Bacteroidetes); Class (Bacteroidetes); Order (Bacteroidales); Family (Bacteroidaceae); Genus (Candidatus Cardinium)

Species

Candidatus Cardinium

Description and Significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.

‘Candidatus Cardinium’ is a bacterium from the Bacteriodetes group. It is involved in reproduction alterations of anthropod host organisms including cytoplasmic incompatibility, parthenogenesis, and feminization.

This bacterium is often located within the reproductive tissues of the host. It is often found with other anthropod-associated Bacteroidetes that alter host biology. Distantly related hosts can harbor closely related Cardinium. Closely related Cardinium also tend to cluster with closely related hosts.

Genome Structure

‘Candidatus Cardinium’ has linear 1364 bp DNA sequence.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

-Specifically located in reproductive tissues of host.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

-Capacity to feminize (ex. B. californicus). -Does not have a negative effect on fitness of organism. -May contribute to host organism by adding insectiside resistance.

References

[1] Zchori-Fein, E, S. Perlman, S. Kelly, N. Katzir, M, Hunter. "Characterization of a ‘Bacteroidetes’ symbiont in Encarsia wasps (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): proposal of ‘Candidatus Cardinium hertigii’ ". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2004. Volume 54. p. 961-968.

Author

Page authored by Benjamin Lowe & Brian Lovett, students of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.

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