Transcriptome sequencing reveals novel candidate genes for Cardinium hertigii-caused cytoplasmic incompatibility

Endosymbionts that infect arthropods and cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) manipulate the reproduction of their hosts through “modification” of sperm and “rescue” of affected sperm in symbiont-infected eggs. The molecular mechanisms responsible for CI are still unknown. To find candidate symbiont genes involved in CI, we analyzed gene expression by transcriptome sequencing of CI-inducing Cardinium hertigii in male and female host parasitoid wasps, Encarsia suzannae. Three biological replicates of male and female pools (~ 400 wasps) were used for RNA extraction. Libraries were sequenced using Illumina HiSeq technology.