Variable opportunities for outcrossing result in hotspots of novel genetic variation in a pathogen metapopulation
Loading...
Access rights
openAccess
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
This publication is imported from Aalto University research portal.
View publication in the Research portal
View/Open full text file from the Research portal
Other link related to publication
View publication in the Research portal
View/Open full text file from the Research portal
Other link related to publication
Date
2019-06-01
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
Series
ELIFE, Volume 8
Abstract
Many pathogens possess the capacity for sex through outcrossing, despite being able to reproduce also asexually and/or via selfing. Given that sex is assumed to come at a cost, these mixed reproductive strategies typical of pathogens have remained puzzling. While the ecological and evolutionary benefits of outcrossing are theoretically well-supported, support for such benefits in pathogen populations are still scarce. Here, we analyze the epidemiology and genetic structure of natural populations of an obligate fungal pathogen, Podosphaera plantaginis. We find that the opportunities for outcrossing vary spatially. Populations supporting high levels of coinfection –a prerequisite of sex – result in hotspots of novel genetic diversity. Pathogen populations supporting coinfection also have a higher probability of surviving winter. Jointly our results show that outcrossing has direct epidemiological consequences as well as a major impact on pathogen population genetic diversity, thereby providing evidence of ecological and evolutionary benefits of outcrossing in pathogens.Description
| openaire: EC/H2020/281517/EU//PATHEVOL | openaire: EC/H2020/724508/EU//RESISTANCE
Keywords
Cost of sex, Diversity, Epidemiology, Outcrossing, Overwintering, Neuroscience(all), Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all), Immunology and Microbiology(all), 113 Computer and information sciences
Other note
Citation
Laine , A L , Barrès , B , Numminen , E & Sirén , J P 2019 , ' Variable opportunities for outcrossing result in hotspots of novel genetic variation in a pathogen metapopulation : Spatially variable opportunities for outcrossing in an obligate pathogen ' , ELIFE , vol. 8 . https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.47091.001
