The interaction between Neotropical drosophilid species and the endosymbiont Wolbachia

• Grant number: 25/03375-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Cogni
• Grantee: Cássia de Souza Siqueira Cesar
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06874-9 - Ecological genomics of insects' phase 2: climate adaptations and evolution of ecological interactions, AP.JP2

Abstract

The postdoc will coordinate the studies planned for aim 5 of the main research project. The main goal is to test other factors, beyond climate adaptation, that affect the interaction between Neotropical drosophilid species and the endosymbiont Wolbachia, including virus protection, cytoplasmatic incompatibility, and phylogenetic origins. The postdoc will coordinate a team of associated researchers, technicians, and students. First, we will sequence Wolbachia genomes to identify the lineages infecting the Neotropical species and to test the phylogenetic origins of the symbiont. Second, we will combine laboratory experiments and genomics to investigate the importance of cytoplasmatic incompatibility. Third, we will use metagenomics to survey virus diversity in wild collected flies and test if Wolbachia protects against viral infection. Finally, we will use an ecological approach with network science to describe the interaction among drosophilids, viruses and Wolbachia.