Armelle Cœur d’Acier

Coevolution and synchronized evolutionary rates in aphid dual endosymbiosis

This study examines the evolutionary dynamics of two symbiotic bacteria in aphids, showing they evolve together with similar rates and undergo functional specialization.

Discordance between phylogenomic datasets in aphids: who is telling the truth?

This study analyzes discordant phylogenomic data from aphids to resolve their evolutionary history, finding monophyly of subfamilies but unresolved relationships between them.

Co-obligate symbioses have repeatedly evolved across aphids, but partner identity and nutritional contributions vary across lineages

The paper shows that dual symbioses have evolved at least six times in aphids, with secondary co-obligate symbionts typically evolving from facultative taxa and varying in nutrient contributions.

The protector within: Comparative genomics of APSE phages across aphids reveals rampant recombination and diverse toxin arsenals

The paper analyzes APSE phage genomes from Hamiltonella symbionts in aphids, revealing recombination events and variable toxin regions.

Serial horizontal transfer of vitamin-biosynthetic genes enables the establishment of new nutritional symbionts in aphids’ di-symbiotic systems

The paper investigates horizontal gene transfer in aphid symbionts, showing how B-vitamin biosynthesis genes are transferred between bacteria to establish new nutritional symbioses.

A Freeloader?: The Highly Eroded Yet Large Genome of the Serratia symbiotica symbiont of Cinara strobi

The paper identifies a third bacterial symbiont in Cinara strobi aphids and shows that S. symbiotica has a highly eroded genome, suggesting ongoing symbiont replacement.