Globally invasive genotypes of the amphibian chytrid outcompete an enzootic lineage in coinfections.

ABSTRACT: Competition between genotypes is likely to be a key driver of pathogen evolution, particularly following a geographical invasion by distant strains. Theory predicts that competition between disease strains will result in the most virulent strain persisting. Despite its evolutionary implications, the role of strain competition in shaping populations remains untested for most pathogens. We experimentally investigated the in vivo competitive differences between two divergent lineages of the amphibian-killing chytrid fungus ( Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Bd). These Bd lineages are hypothesized to have diverged in allopatry but been recently brought back into secondary contact by human introduction. Prior studies indicate that a panzootically-distributed, global lineage of Bd was recently in

SUBMITTER: Jenkinson TS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6304064 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature