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Updated: Sep 19, 2025

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Host Competitive Asymmetries Accelerate Viral Evolution in a Microbe-Virus Coevolutionary System.

Armun Liaghat^1,2, Martin Guillemet^3,4, Rachel Whitaker^5,6

¹Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Ecology Letters

|June 19, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Microbial host-virus coevolution shows that host competitive traits drive viral diversity and adaptation. Greater host competition prolongs viral persistence and enhances viral evolution, impacting long-term dynamics.

Keywords:

microbe–virus coevolution multiple modes of selection negative frequency‐dependent selection predator–prey viral persistence

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Area of Science:

Microbial ecology
Evolutionary biology
Virology

Background:

Microbe-virus interactions involve reciprocal evolution of defences and counter-defences.
Coevolutionary dynamics are often shaped by negative frequency-dependent selection, promoting diversification.
Microbial competitive traits can impose directional selection, potentially opposing diversification.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the combined effects of host resistance and competitive traits on viral evolution and persistence.
To clarify the impact of co-occurring host trait types on microbe-virus coevolutionary dynamics.
To reconcile experimental findings with computational models of microbial coevolution.

Main Methods:

Utilized a CRISPR-mediated experimental system to study microbe-virus coevolution.
Developed a stochastic model incorporating host competitive asymmetries (variation in intrinsic growth rates).
Analyzed viral evolution, adaptation, and persistence under varying host trait conditions.

Main Results:

Competitively advantaged host clades were identified as the primary source of immune diversity.
Increased host competitive asymmetry extended viral extinction times.
Greater host asymmetry accelerated local viral adaptation and augmented long-term adaptation.

Conclusions:

Host competitive traits play a crucial role in shaping viral evolution and persistence alongside defence mechanisms.
Competitive asymmetries can significantly alter the trajectory of micro- and viral coevolution.
Findings provide insights into the long-term dynamics of microbial host-virus systems.