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Persistence pays: how viruses promote host group survival
1Center for Virus Research, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. lpvillar@uci.edu
Current Opinion in Microbiology
|July 18, 2009
Summary
Viruses, often linked to disease, can surprisingly promote host population survival through persistent, inapparent infections. This challenges traditional views by highlighting viruses
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Virology
- Population genetics
Background:
- Viruses numerically dominate life, yet their role in host group selection remains unevaluated.
- Traditional group selection theories do not incorporate viruses, focusing instead on kin selection models.
- Persistent, inapparent viral infections are common and can influence host population fitness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the role of persistent viral infections in host group selection.
- To re-examine the theoretical basis of the mouse haystack model from a virus-centric perspective.
- To present arguments for how viruses can promote population survival.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical re-evaluation of host group selection models.
- Analysis of persistent viral infections in host populations.
- Case study using mouse hepatitis virus and the mouse haystack model.
Main Results:
- Persistent viral infections can significantly impact the relative reproductive fitness of competing host populations.
- Viruses can influence host population survival and promote group selection.
- A virus-centric re-examination supports the role of viruses in group selection dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Persistent viral infections can act as a mechanism promoting host population survival.
- Viruses can be significant factors in evolutionary group selection.
- The study advocates for incorporating viruses into ecological and evolutionary models.
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