Evolution 2013: Disease Ecology II

22 Jun 2013

Graves, Christopher: Virulence evolution: Selection to increase geometric mean fitness

  • “Basic model” (Anderson and May)– should reduce virulence
  • “Short sighted evolution” model within host (Bull and Levin 1994)

His model– higher fitness = higher virulence. Can derive duration of infection, number of secondary infections, transmission rate, geometric mean fitness. No tradeoff between transmission and mortality. Fitness maximized at intermediate virulence.

Hendry, Tory A; Clark, Kelley ; Baltrus, David A.: A recent evolution of entomopathogenicity within a plant pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae.

Syringae is a diverse group of plant associate bateria. Frequently pathogen but commonly epiphtic and environmental. What about aphids? Two variants of syringae– one pathogenic and one not. Fall into different clades. Appear to just be two losses of virulence.

Not much of virulent strain needed to kill bug. Lots of avirulent strain can kill bug.