An Ecosystems Perspective on Virus Evolution and Emergence

Abstract

Understanding the emergence of pathogenic viruses has dominated studies of virus evolution. However, new metagenomic studies imply that relatively few of an immense number of viruses may lead to overt disease. This suggests a change in emphasis, from viruses as habitual pathogens to integral components of ecosystems. Here we show how viruses alter interactions between host individuals, populations, and ecosystems, impacting ecosystem health, resilience, and function, and how host ecology in turn impacts viral abundance and diversity. Moving to an ecosystems perspective will put virus evolution and disease emergence in its true context, and enhance our understanding of ecological processes.

Keywords: ecosystem; emergence; evolution; metagenomics; viral ecology.