Draft genome sequences of the novel clade of alphaproteobacterial endosymbionts

Bacterial endosymbionts which infect arthropods are known to manipulate reproduction of insect hosts in order for their own propagation. Infected females can produce offspring by mating with both infected and uninfected males, but uninfected females cannot or seldom produce offspring with infected males. This phenomenon is called Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Two bacterial endosymbionts are known as CI inducers: Wolbachia and Cardinium. We have recently found third CI inducer from the coconut beetle. It belongs to a novel clade of Alphaproteobacteria. The study goals of this project are obtaining draft genome sequences of this endosymbiont to clarify its taxonomic status.