An obligate symbiont of Haematomyzus elephantis with a strongly reduced genome resembles symbiotic bacteria in sucking lice

The parvorder Rhynchophthirina with a single genus Haematomyzus is a small group of ectoparasites related to sucking and chewing lice. Previous screening based on the 16S rRNA gene indicated that Haematomyzus harbour a symbiotic bacterium whose DNA exhibits a strong shift in nucleotide composition typical of obligate mutualistic symbionts in insects. Within Phthiraptera, the most dramatically reduced genomes are found in the symbionts associated with sucking lice, living exclusively on mammal blood, compared to the less modified symbionts inhabiting the chewing lice, which feed on skin derivates. In this study, we investigate the genome characteristics of the symbiont associated with Haematomyzus elephantis. We sequenced and assembled the Haematomyzus elephantis metagenome, extracted a genome draft of its symbiotic bacterium, and show that the symbiont has a significantly reduced genome, which is with 0.39 Mbp the smallest genome among the symbionts known from Phthiraptera. Multigenic phylogenetic analysis places the symbiont into one of three clusters composed of long-branched symbionts from other insects. More specifically, it clusters together with symbionts from several other sucking lice, and also with Wigglesworthia glossinidia, an obligate symbiont of tsetse flies. Consistent with the dramatic reduction of its genome, the H. elephantis symbiont lost many metabolic capacities. However, it retained functional pathways for four B vitamins, a trait typical for symbionts in blood-feeding insects. Considering genomic, metabolic, and phylogenetic characteristics, the new symbiont closely resembles those known from several sucking lice rather than chewing lice. ImportanceRhynchophthirina is a unique small group of permanent ectoparasites that is closely related to both sucking and chewing lice. These two groups of lice differ in their morphology, ecology, and feeding strategies. As a consequence of their different dietary sources, such as mammals blood versus vertebrate skin derivatives, they also exhibit distinct patterns of symbiosis with obligate bacterial symbionts. While Rhynchophthirina shares certain traits with sucking and chewing lice, the nature of its obligate symbiotic bacterium and its metabolic role are not known. In this study, we assemble genome of symbiotic bacterium from Haematomyzus elphantis (Rhynchophthirina), demonstrating its close similarity and phylogenetic proximity to several symbionts of sucking lice. The genome is highly reduced (representing the smallest genome among louse-associated symbionts) and exhibits a significant loss of metabolic pathways. However, similar to other louse symbionts, it retains essential pathways for the synthesis of several B vitamins.