Parasite diversity drives rapid host dynamics and evolution of resistance in a bacteria-phage system.

ABSTRACT: Host-parasite evolutionary interactions are typically considered in a pairwise species framework. However, natural infections frequently involve multiple parasites. Altering parasite diversity alters ecological and evolutionary dynamics as parasites compete and hosts resist multiple infection. We investigated the effects of parasite diversity on host-parasite population dynamics and evolution using the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and five lytic bacteriophage parasites. To manipulate parasite diversity, bacterial populations were exposed for 24 hours to either phage monocultures or diverse communities containing up to five phages. Phage communities suppressed host populations more rapidly but also showed reduced phage density, likely due to interphage competition. The evolution of resis

SUBMITTER: Betts A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4982092 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature