Polyphyly of Gut Symbionts in Stinkbugs of the Family Cydnidae

Symbiotic bacteria associated with midgut crypts of stinkbugs of the family Cydnidae, representing seven species and 13 populations, were investigated. All of the symbionts were species specific, and constituted at least four distinct lineages in the Gamma-proteobacteria, indicating multiple evolutionary origins of the gut symbionts among the burrower bugs.