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Investigating the Detrimental Effects of Low Pressure Plasma Sterilization on the Survival of Bacillus subtilis Spores Using Live Cell Microscopy

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Are parasites ''prudent'' in space?

Sébastien Lion¹, Mike Boots

¹School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW200EX, UK. slion@biologie.ens.fr

Ecology Letters

|August 24, 2010

Summary

Parasite evolution in structured populations depends on genetic and demographic factors. Prudence evolves with demographic turnover, but in diseases with low turnover, only long-lived immunity selects for parasite prudence.

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Epidemiology
Theoretical ecology

Background:

Spatial structure influences parasite evolution.
Parasite "prudence" (reduced harm/transmission) is theorized in local infections.
Previous models often simplified spatial dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate parasite evolution in spatially structured host populations.
Clarify the roles of genetic and demographic structuring.
Understand factors driving parasite prudence and virulence.

Main Methods:

Novel approach using spatial moment equations.
Analysis of epidemiological and demographic dynamics.
Modeling network topology effects.

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Main Results:

Parasite evolution is shaped by genetic and demographic spatial structuring.
Demographic turnover is crucial for local selection of prudence.
In low-turnover diseases, long-lived immunity promotes prudence.
Intermediate parasite dispersal can increase virulence beyond non-spatial predictions.

Conclusions:

Spatial structuring's impact on parasite evolution is complex, depending on ecological details.
Demographic factors critically influence the evolution of parasite prudence.
Non-spatial models may underestimate virulence in certain scenarios.