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Related Experiment Videos

Pathogen spillover in disease epidemics.

Alison G Power1, Charles E Mitchell

  • 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. agp4@cornell.edu

The American Naturalist
|November 13, 2004
PubMed
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A highly susceptible reservoir species, wild oats, drove disease dynamics in other plant species in field experiments. This pathogen spillover decreased non-reservoir species abundance through apparent competition, highlighting community structure

Area of Science:

  • Disease ecology
  • Community ecology
  • Plant pathology

Background:

  • Generalist pathogen dynamics in diverse host communities are complex and understudied.
  • Pathogen spillover, where disease spreads from a reservoir population, is crucial but often observed, not experimentally tested.
  • Host community structure significantly influences pathogen transmission and disease feedback loops.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally investigate how host community structure affects generalist pathogen dynamics.
  • To demonstrate and analyze pathogen spillover from a reservoir species in a natural system.
  • To assess the impact of pathogen spillover on non-reservoir host species abundance.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted two field experiments using annual wild grasses and the barley yellow dwarf virus.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Manipulated host community composition and the presence of a susceptible reservoir species (Avena fatua).
  • Monitored pathogen prevalence and host species abundance.

    • Main Results:

    • The presence of Avena fatua significantly increased barley yellow dwarf virus prevalence in other grass species.
    • This demonstrates pathogen spillover from a reservoir host.
    • Pathogen spillover from Avena fatua led to decreased abundance of two other host species via apparent competition.

    Conclusions:

    • Host community structure, particularly the presence of susceptible reservoir species, critically controls generalist pathogen dynamics.
    • Experimental evidence confirms pathogen spillover and its role in regulating host populations.
    • Findings support theoretical predictions of strong feedbacks between host community structure and disease ecology.