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Published on: January 12, 2017
Experimental evolution of adaptive phenotypic plasticity in a parasite
Helen C Leggett1, Rebecca Benmayor, David J Hodgson
1Department of Zoology, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK. helen.leggett@zoo.ox.ac.uk
Current Biology : CB
|December 19, 2012
Summary
Parasites facing both single and mixed infections evolved faster cell-killing. This adaptive plasticity in viral lysis time enhances fitness in changing infection environments, impacting disease dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Virology
- Disease ecology
Background:
- Coinfection with multiple parasite genotypes can alter parasite life history strategies.
- Parasites often experience alternating single and coinfections, creating conflicting evolutionary pressures.
- Adaptive phenotypic plasticity has been observed in other parasites and viruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolution of real-time adaptive phenotypic plasticity in response to coinfection.
- To determine if parasites can evolve facultative responses to alternating single and coinfection conditions.
- To examine the impact of such plasticity on parasite fitness and disease dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Experimentally evolved an obligate-killing virus under two conditions: single infections and a mix of single and coinfections.
- Monitored viral lysis time as a key life history trait.
- Assessed parasite fitness under both single and coinfection scenarios.
Main Results:
- Viruses in mixed infection lines evolved a plastic lysis time, killing host cells more rapidly during coinfection than single infection.
- This evolved plasticity conferred high fitness across both infection conditions.
- The study demonstrates the evolution of adaptive phenotypic plasticity in real time.
Conclusions:
- Alternating infection conditions can select for facultative parasite responses.
- Plasticity in lysis time is a beneficial strategy for parasites facing fluctuating infection environments.
- This has significant implications for infectious disease epidemiology and the evolution of parasite cooperation.
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