Evidence for co-diversification of planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) with four distinct endosymbiotic bacteria representing diverse bacterial phyla (Bacteroidetes, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria)

Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea), are a diverse group of phytophagous insects with more than 9000 species in 20 families described worldwide. Planthoppers, and other lineages within Auchenorrhyncha, are unusual in that they appear to house a variety of multi-species assemblages of endosymbiotic bacteria – a condition that has been described as a “hunger for symbionts.” Although these endosymbiotic associations have been examined in other auchenorrhynchan lineages, planthopper endosymbionts have remained largely unexplored. We present results of phylogenetic reconstructions based on 16S rDNA nucleotide sequence data amplified from planthopper-associated bacteria. Phylogenetic reconstructions and tests of co-diversification indicate the presence of at least four distinct lineages of planthopper endosymbiotic bacteria arising from three different bacterial phyla.