Department of Aquatic Ecology, Swiss Federal institute of aquatic science and technology-IBZ, Institute of Integrative Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology [Zürich] (ETH Zürich), Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Institut de Génétique, Environnement et Protection des Plantes (IGEPP), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Université de Rennes 1 (UR1), Université de Rennes (UNIV-RENNES)-Université de Rennes (UNIV-RENNES)-AGROCAMPUS OUEST, Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro), Université de Rennes 1 (UR1), Université de Rennes (UNIV-RENNES), Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity (IEB), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (WWU), Department of Ecology and Evolution, Université de Lausanne (UNIL), University of Cologne, University of Groningen, Aix Marseille Université (AMU), University of California [Berkeley], University of California, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech (ISA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (... - 2019) (UNS), COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), University of Basilicata, University of Georgia [USA], Institut d'écologie et des sciences de l'environnement de Paris (iEES Paris), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne - Paris 12 (UPEC UP12)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Earlham College, Partenaires INRAE, Department of Entomology, Michigan State University [East Lansing], Michigan State University System-Michigan State University System, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Université de Rennes (UR)-AGROCAMPUS OUEST, Université de Rennes (UR), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster = University of Münster (WWU), Université de Lausanne = University of Lausanne (UNIL), University of California [Berkeley] (UC Berkeley), University of California (UC), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) (UNS), COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Università degli studi della Basilicata [Potenza] (UNIBAS)
BackgroundParasitoid wasps have fascinating life cycles and play an important role in trophic networks, yet little is known about their genome content and function. Parasitoids that infect aphids are an important group with the potential for biocontrol, and infecting aphids requires overcoming both aphid defenses and their defensive endosymbionts.ResultsWe present thede novogenome assemblies, detailed annotation, and comparative analysis of two closely related parasitoid wasps that target pest aphids:Aphidius erviandLysiphlebus fabarum(Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae). The genomes are small (139 and 141 Mbp), highly syntenic, and the most AT-rich reported thus far for any arthropod (GC content: 25.8% and 23.8%). This nucleotide bias is accompanied by skewed codon usage, and is stronger in genes with adult-biased expression. AT-richness may be the consequence of reduced genome size, a near absence of DNA methylation, and age-specific energy demands. We identify expansions of F-box/Leucine-rich-repeat proteins, suggesting that diversification in this gene family may be associated with their broad host range or with countering defenses from aphids’ endosymbionts. The absence of some immune genes (Toll and Imd pathways) resembles similar losses in their aphid hosts, highlighting the potential impact of symbiosis on both aphids and their parasitoids.ConclusionsThese findings are of fundamental interest for insect evolution and beyond. This will provide a strong foundation for further functional studies including coevolution with respect to their hosts, the basis of successful infection, and biocontrol. Both genomes are available athttps://bipaa.genouest.org.
