Author Summary

Eukaryotes are generally thought to evolve mainly through the modification of existing genetic information. However, evidence of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in eukaryotes -- the accidental acquisition of a novel gene from another species, allowing acquisition of novel traits -- is now recognized as an important factor in their evolution. We show here that in several lineages, lepidopteran genomes have acquired genes from a bracovirus that is symbiotically used by parasitic wasps to inhibit caterpillar host immune defences. Integration of parts of the viral genome into host caterpillar DNA strongly suggests that integration can sporadically occur in the germline, leading to the production of lepidopteran lineages that harbor bracovirus sequences.

Gasmi, Laila, et al. "Recurrent Domestication by Lepidoptera of Genes from Their Parasites Mediated by Bracoviruses." PLoS Genet 11.9 (2015): e1005470.

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