The evolution of parasite host range in heterogeneous host populations

The evolution of host-parasite range.

Understanding the coevolution of hosts and parasites is one of the key challenges for evolutionary biology. In particular, it is important to understand the processes that generate and maintain variation. Here, we examine a coevolutionary model of hosts and parasites where infection does not depend on absolute rates of transmission and defense but is approximately all-or-nothing, depending on t...

Evolution of Host-parasite Diversity.

Hosts and parasites often have extensive genetic diversity for resistance and virulence (host range). Qualitative diversity occurs when the success of attack is an all-or-nothing response that varies according to the genotypes of the host and parasite. Quantitative diversity occurs when the success of attack is a graded response that depends on additive genetic variation in the host and parasit...

Actinomyces bovis a possible cause for calcification of the parasite in the host tissue

Host range and local parasite adaptation.

Parasites may be expected to become locally adapted to their hosts. However, while many empirical studies have demonstrated local parasite adaptation, others have failed to demonstrate it, or have shown local parasite maladaptation. Researchers have suggested that gene flow can swamp local parasite-host dynamics and produce local adaptation only at certain geographical scales; others have argue...

Evolution in a Host-parasite System

Some organisms employ multiple defence strategies against their enemies , while others fail to employ a defence that seems obvious. We shall investigate three questions for host-parasite systems. (1) Under what circumstances does it pay for a host to employ a given defence strategy against one of its parasites? (2) If alternative strategies are available, how is the appropriate strategy chosen?...