The problem of mediocre generalists: population genetics and eco-evolutionary perspectives on host breadth evolution...

Area of Science:

• Ecology and Evolution
• Population Genetics
• Host-Parasite Interactions

Background:

• Biotic interactions and niche breadth are key to maintaining biodiversity and disease emergence.
• Specialization is often explained by trade-offs, where generalists are less fit than specialists in any given environment.
• Existing models primarily use trade-off theory to predict niche breadth evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how population genetics and eco-evolutionary models explain parasite niche breadth evolution.
• To highlight the need for integrating mutation accumulation theory into eco-evolutionary models.
• To explore how different mechanisms of costly generalism affect the maintenance of specialism.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on trade-off theory and mutation accumulation in population genetics and eco-evolutionary models.
• Analysis of how these theories predict niche breadth evolution in host-parasite systems.
• Identification of gaps in current eco-evolutionary models regarding mutation accumulation.

Main Results:

• Trade-off theory has been extensively used in population genetics and eco-evolutionary models to explain niche breadth.
• Alternative mechanisms, such as mutation accumulation, have been proposed in population genetics but not fully integrated into eco-evolutionary frameworks.
• The integration of mutation accumulation into eco-evolutionary models is needed to understand its impact on specialism.

Conclusions:

• Trade-off theory provides valuable insights into parasite niche breadth evolution.
• Mutation accumulation offers an alternative explanation for costly generalism that requires further investigation within eco-evolutionary contexts.
• Better integration of population genetics-derived theories into eco-evolutionary models is essential for a comprehensive understanding of niche breadth evolution.