Microbial Misandry: Discovery of a Spiroplasma Male-Killing Toxin (Cell Host & Microbe)

Bacteria-induced male killing evolved to enhance maternal transmission of the bacteria. Despite significance to arthropod evolution and vector control potential, the genetic basis behind this selfish microbial trait has remained mysterious. In recent work, Harumoto and Lemaitre (2018) describe a Spiroplasma poulsonii male-killing toxin sought for over half a century.