Bacterial resistance response and resource availability mediate viral coexistence
Lisa Butt1, Justin R Meyer2, Richard J Lindsay1
1Biosciences and Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|February 22, 2024
Summary
Bacteriophages (phages) are diverse viruses. Coevolution with bacterial hosts in mixed communities, not host-range trade-offs, is key to maintaining phage diversity, especially with high resources.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Ecology
Background:
- Bacteriophages (phages) are globally abundant viruses with high genetic diversity.
- Factors influencing viral diversity include environmental conditions and host-range trade-offs.
- The impact of coevolution on viral diversity in microbial communities is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of coevolution in maintaining bacteriophage diversity within a microbial community.
- To determine if host-range trade-offs are necessary for viral diversity maintenance.
- To examine the influence of host and phage community structure on viral coexistence.
Main Methods:
- Developed a 4-species experimental system with two bacterial hosts and two phages.
- Allowed phages and bacteria to coevolve in a spatially homogeneous environment.
- Varied resource availability and community composition (e.g., single vs. mixed hosts/phages).
Main Results:
- Phage coexistence was observed when resource availability was high and both hosts and phages coevolved.
- Coexistence was lost when bacteria did not evolve or when phages coevolved with a single host.
- No significant host-range trade-offs were detected that would typically promote viral diversity.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial resistance responses in mixed-species communities are crucial for maintaining viral diversity.
- Coevolutionary dynamics, rather than host-range trade-offs, significantly impact phage diversity.
- Resource availability influences the stability of phage-host interactions and diversity.
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