Pubblicazione scientifica

Evolutionary rescue in a host–pathogen system results in coexistence not clearance

FILONE TECNOLOGICO	TEMA
produzione e cattura

RIASSUNTO

Abstract

The evolutionary rescue of host populations may prevent extinction from novel pathogens. However, the conditions that facilitate rapid evolution of hosts, in particular the population variation in host susceptibility, and the effects of host evolution in response to pathogens on population outcomes remain largely unknown. We constructed an individual‐based model to determine the relationships between genetic variation in host susceptibility and population persistence in an amphibian‐fungal pathogen (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) system. We found that host populations can rapidly evolve reduced susceptibility to a novel pathogen and that this rapid evolution led to a 71‐fold increase in the likelihood of host–pathogen coexistence. However, the increased rates of coexistence came at a cost to host populations; fewer populations cleared infection, population sizes were depressed, and neutral genetic diversity was lost. Larger adult host population sizes and greater adaptive genetic variation prior to the onset of pathogen introduction led to substantially reduced rates of extinction, suggesting that populations with these characteristics should be prioritized for conservation when species are threatened by novel infectious diseases.

DATA

Data di pubblicazione: 20/11/2017

AUTORI

CHRISTIE MARK REDPATH
SEARLE CATHERINE LAURA

ENTE DI AFFERENZA

DEPT BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES PURDUE UNIV WEST LAFAYETTE IN USA
DEPT FORESTRY & NATURAL RESOURCES PURDUE UNIV WEST LAFAYETTE IN USA

RIVISTA

Evolutionary Applications, 11(5), 681-693

IMPACT FACTOR

4,910

indietro