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Review
. 2008 Dec;23(12):678-85.
doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2008.06.017. Epub 2008 Oct 22.

Life history determines genetic structure and evolutionary potential of host-parasite interactions

Luke G Barrett  1 , Peter H Thrall, Jeremy J Burdon, Celeste C Linde
Affiliations
Review

Life history determines genetic structure and evolutionary potential of host-parasite interactions

Luke G Barrett et al. Trends Ecol Evol. 2008 Dec.

Abstract

Measures of population genetic structure and diversity of disease-causing organisms are commonly used to draw inferences regarding their evolutionary history and potential to generate new variation in traits that determine interactions with their hosts. Parasite species exhibit a range of population structures and life-history strategies, including different transmission modes, life-cycle complexity, off-host survival mechanisms and dispersal ability. These are important determinants of the frequency and predictability of interactions with host species. Yet the complex causal relationships between spatial structure, life history and the evolutionary dynamics of parasite populations are not well understood. We demonstrate that a clear picture of the evolutionary potential of parasitic organisms and their demographic and evolutionary histories can only come from understanding the role of life history and spatial structure in influencing population dynamics and epidemiological patterns.

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Figures

Figure I
Figure I
General genetic expectations for neutral versus selected loci in pathogen populations. (a) Overall genetic diversity in relation to host and pathogen population stability. (b) Population genetic structure (e.g. as measured by standard statistics such as FST) in relation to among-population connectivity. Expectations for changes in neutral genetic variation are based on metapopulation models exploring the impact of variation in rates of population turnover [62].
Figure I
Figure I
Plant hosts infected by pathogens with variable modes of transmission. (a) Panama disease of plantain caused by a soil-borne pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum cubense (photo credit: G. Wallduck, Department of Primary Industries, Northern Territory Government); (b) vector-transmitted anther smut in flowers of red campion Silene dioica, caused by Microbotryum violaceum (photo credit: CSIRO Plant Industry); and (c) an aerially dispersed rust infection of wild flax Linum marginale, caused by Melampsora lini (photo credit: CSIRO Plant Industry).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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