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Molecular characterisation and recent evolution of myxoma virus in Spain

Fernando Alda1, Tania Gaitero, Mónica Suárez

  • 1Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain. alda@mncn.csic.es

Archives of Virology
|September 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Myxoma virus evolution in European rabbits shows low genetic diversity despite significant time. Genetic analysis revealed distinct viral groups, indicating strong selective pressures rather than neutral drift.

Area of Science:

  • * Evolutionary biology
  • * Virology
  • * Molecular genetics

Background:

  • * Myxoma virus and European rabbit coevolution is a model for pathogen virulence and host resistance.
  • * Myxoma virus introduced to Spain in 1953 has shown decreased virulence, but most strains remain highly virulent.
  • * Understanding molecular changes in field strains is crucial for characterizing viral evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate molecular differences potentially causing myxoma virus attenuation.
  • * To characterize Spanish field strains and their genetic changes since 1953.
  • * To analyze the evolutionary patterns of myxoma virus in the European rabbit population.

Main Methods:

  • * Sequencing of 7,741 base pairs across 97 myxoma virus samples.
  • * Analysis of samples from 12 distinct geographic localities in Spain.
  • * Haplotype network construction and population genetic analyses.

Main Results:

  • * Extremely low genetic variability and absence of geographic structure observed in Spanish myxoma virus strains.
  • * 35 distinct haplotypes were identified, none matching the original Lausanne strain.
  • * Three genetic groups were detected with varying frequencies across locations, deviating from neutral evolution.

Conclusions:

  • * Myxoma virus evolution in Spain is characterized by low genetic diversity and strong selective pressures.
  • * The observed genetic structure suggests localized adaptation or differential selection across the viral genome.
  • * Findings challenge a strict molecular clock model, highlighting complex evolutionary dynamics.

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