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Protocols for Investigating the Host-tissue Distribution, Transmission-mode, and Effect on the Host Fitness of a Densovirus in the Cotton Bollworm
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What difference does it make if viruses are strain-, rather than species-specific?

T Frede Thingstad1, Bernadette Pree1, Jarl Giske1

  • 1Department of Biology, Hjort Centre for Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Bergen Bergen, Norway.

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Summary

Lytic viruses may control prokaryotic diversity by targeting specific strains, not just species. This strain-level control influences species abundance and community diversity, potentially explaining dormant cells in marine environments.

Keywords:
Weinbauer's Paradoxbiodiversity controlbiodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationshipsfractal similaritykilling-the-winner modelmicroevolution

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Ecology
  • Theoretical Biology

Background:

  • Theoretical models suggest lytic viruses regulate prokaryotic host diversity.
  • Experimental evidence for viral control of prokaryotic diversity has been limited.
  • Previous models often defined host groups at the species level using 16S rRNA gene data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how viral control at the strain level, rather than species level, impacts prokaryotic community diversity.
  • To investigate the role of strain diversification and species diversification in community dynamics.
  • To re-evaluate the ecological implications of viral-host interactions in prokaryotes.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical modeling of viral-host interactions.
  • Analysis of microbial community dynamics.
  • Consideration of strain-level variation in host susceptibility and defense costs.

Main Results:

  • Viral control at the strain level can obscure direct control at the species level.
  • Species abundance emerges from the interplay of strain number, abundance, and interspecific competition.
  • Models suggest a dominance of resistant strains, potentially explaining the prevalence of dormant prokaryotic cells.

Conclusions:

  • Strain-level interactions with viruses are crucial for understanding prokaryotic diversity.
  • The balance between species and strain diversification influences community structure.
  • High defense costs in resistant strains may lead to dormancy in pelagic prokaryotes.