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Published on: April 2, 2013
Evolution of parasite virulence against qualitative or quantitative host resistance
1Laboratoire d'Ecologie, CNRS-UMR 7625 Case 237, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France. sgandon@snv.jussieu.fr
Abstract:
We analysed the effects of two different modes of host resistance on the evolution of parasite virulence. Hosts can either adopt an all-or-nothing qualitative response (i.e. resistant hosts cannot be infected) or a quantitative form of resistance (i.e. which reduces the within-host growth rate of the parasite). We show that the mode of host resistance greatly affects the evolutionary outcome. Specifically, a qualitative form of resistance reduces parasite virulence, while a quantitative form of resistance generally selects for higher virulence.
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