Wolbachia infection and its effects on mitochondrial ND5 gene variation in Aedes albopictus from Shandong Province

Introduction

Wolbachia, a matrilineally inherited endosymbiont, has the potential to influence host mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity through cytoplasmic hitchhiking and selective sweeps. Aedes albopictus naturally harbors Wolbachia, making it an ideal model for studying host-symbiont interactions. However, Wolbachia infection in Shandong Province and its effects on host mitochondrial ND5 gene remain poorly characterized.