How Do You Spell HAMILTONELLA DEFENSA?

Pronunciation: [hˌamɪltə͡ʊnˈɛlə dɪfˈɛnsə] (IPA)

The spelling of "hamiltonella defensa" is based on the international phonetic alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The first part of the word, "hamiltonella," is pronounced /hæmɪltənˈɛlə/ with stress on the third syllable. The second part of the word, "defensa," is pronounced /dɛˈfɛnsə/ with stress on the second syllable. This term refers to a bacterium found in certain species of aphids that can confer protection against parasitic wasps. Proper spelling is essential in scientific literature to avoid confusion and errors.

HAMILTONELLA DEFENSA Meaning and Definition

1. Hamiltonella defensa is a species of bacteria belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. It is an obligate symbiont that infects various species of aphids, which are small plant-sucking insects. Named after its first discovery in Hamiltonella ligurriens, H. defensa has since been found in a wide range of aphid species.

   The main characteristic of H. defensa is its ability to provide protection against parasitoid wasp attacks to its aphid host. When parasitoid wasps lay their eggs inside aphids, H. defensa rapidly multiplies in response to this threat and releases toxic substances that kill the developing wasp larvae, protecting the aphid from being consumed. This symbiotic relationship between H. defensa and aphids has been widely studied for its role in aphid defense mechanisms.

   H. defensa has a close mutualistic relationship with aphids, as it benefits from the nutrients provided by the aphid host while offering protection against parasitoid wasps. This symbiosis has been shown to have a significant impact on the survival and reproductive success of aphids.

   In recent years, research has focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying the interaction between H. defensa and aphids, including the genes and proteins involved in wasp-killing and the transmission of the bacterium from parent aphids to their offspring. Studying H. defensa and its impact on aphid biology provides valuable insights into the complex and fascinating world of symbiosis between microorganisms and insects.

Etymology of HAMILTONELLA DEFENSA

The etymology of the term "Hamiltonella defensa" can be broken down as follows:

1. Hamiltonella: The genus name "Hamiltonella" is derived from the name of the Scottish evolutionary biologist, William D. Hamilton. Hamilton made significant contributions to the study of sex ratio evolution and the role of parasites in host evolution.

2. Defensa: The species name "defensa" is derived from the Spanish word meaning "defense" or "protection". This name refers to the defensive symbiotic nature of Hamiltonella defensa, which provides protection to its host organism against parasitoid wasps.

Overall, the name "Hamiltonella defensa" signifies a genus named after a scientist and a species reflecting its defensive nature.