The problem of mediocre generalists: population genetics and eco-evolutionary perspectives on host breadth evolution in pathogens.

ABSTRACT: Many of our theories for the generation and maintenance of diversity in nature depend on the existence of specialist biotic interactions which, in host-pathogen systems, also shape cross-species disease emergence. As such, niche breadth evolution, especially in host-parasite systems, remains a central focus in ecology and evolution. The predominant explanation for the existence of specialization in the literature is that niche breadth is constrained by trade-offs, such that a generalist is less fit on any particular environment than a given specialist. This trade-off theory has been used to predict niche breadth (co)evolution in both population genetics and eco-evolutionary models, with the different modelling methods providing separate, complementary insights. However, trade-offs may be f

SUBMITTER: Visher E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7482275 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature