Abstract
One possible mechanism for interspecific transfer of Wolbachia is through the intimate contact between parasites and their hosts. We surveyed 10 species of fly parasitoids ( Pseudacteon spp.) and one inquiline social parasite, Solenopsis daguerrei , for the presence and sequence identity ( wsp gene) of Wolbachia . Two Wolbachia variants infecting S. daguerrei were identical to known variants infecting the two common ant host species, Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri , suggesting possible transfers of Wolbachia between this parasite and their hosts have occurred. Our data also revealed an unexpectedly high diversity of Wolbachia variants within S. daguerrei : up to eight variants were found within each individual, which, to our knowledge, is the highest reported number of Wolbachia variants infecting a single individual of any host species.