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Understanding Host-Switching by Ecological Fitting.

Sabrina B L Araujo1, Mariana Pires Braga2, Daniel R Brooks2

  • 1Laboratório de Ecologia Molecular e Parasitologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 19073, Curitiba, PR 81531-980, Brazil; Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Caixa Postal 19044, Curitiba, PR 81531-980, Brazil.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Parasites frequently switch hosts, driving diversification more than co-speciation. This study models host switching, showing parasites can colonize new hosts without genetic changes, facilitated by ecological fitting.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Parasites are often host-specific, yet empirical data suggest host switching, not co-speciation, drives their diversification.
  • Ecological fitting in 'sloppy fitness space' is a proposed mechanism for parasite host switching.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the ecological fitting hypothesis using an individual-based model of host switching.
  • To investigate the factors influencing parasite host range expansion and diversification.

Main Methods:

  • An individual-based model simulating a parasite species exposed to multiple host resources was developed.
  • The model tracked host range expansion, genetic capacity evolution, and fitness space dynamics over time.

Main Results:

  • Host range expansion occurred readily without prior evolution of novel genetic capacities.
  • Propagule pressure and fitness space size significantly influenced host colonization capacity.
  • Simulations indicated co-adaptation can arise from temporary loss of less fit parasite phenotypes.
  • Parasites can persist in sub-optimal hosts, enabling colonization of distantly related hosts via a 'stepping-stone' process.

Conclusions:

  • Ecological fitting provides a viable mechanism for parasite host switching and diversification.
  • Parasite persistence in sub-optimal hosts is a key factor in colonizing new host lineages.
  • Understanding host-parasite dynamics is crucial for predicting evolutionary trajectories.