Maximized virulence in a sterilizing pathogen: the anther-smut fungus and its co-evolved hosts

Journal of Evolutionary Biology
D B SloanMichael E Hood

Abstract

Host sterilization is a common feature of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Because host reproductive failure may free up resources for pathogen reproduction and transmission, theory predicts that selection on sterilizing pathogens will favour maximum virulence (i.e. complete sterilization). We examined patterns of infection in sexually transmitted anther-smut fungi (Microbotryum) on four of their host species in the Caryophyllaceae. Using controlled fungal matings and experimental inoculations, we compared disease expression in inoculations ranging from host-specific pathogens to hybrids and cross-species treatments. Our data support the existence of host-specific sibling species within the genus Microbotryum based on a low infection rate from cross-inoculations and reduced fitness for hybrid pathogens. These patterns of host specificity and reproductive isolation, however, were not absolute. We did observe some successful cross-species and hybrid infections, but the expression of disease was frequently incomplete, including only partial host sterilization and the failed dehiscence of pathogen spores. The prevalence of these maladapted disease phenotypes may greatly inhibit the emergence of novel host pathogen combinations...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 8, 2013·Bulletin of Mathematical Biology·Luděk Berec, Daniel Maxin
Apr 16, 2009·Heredity·G BernasconiA Widmer
Oct 12, 2013·BMC Evolutionary Biology·Britta BükerMichael E Hood
May 9, 2009·BMC Ecology·Alexander GoldMichael E Hood
Jun 1, 2013·PLoS Biology·Dana M HawleyAndré A Dhondt
Feb 21, 2009·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·D M De VienneT Giraud
Jun 22, 2013·Ecology and Evolution·Amanda K GibsonMichael E Hood
Jun 8, 2012·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·A K GibsonT Giraud
Dec 3, 2010·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Manuela López-VillavicencioTatiana Giraud
Apr 22, 2010·The New Phytologist·Michael E HoodJanis Antonovics
Mar 4, 2015·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Ulla Carlsson-Granér, Peter H Thrall
Nov 3, 2009·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·D M de VienneT Giraud
Jul 15, 2015·Trends in Parasitology·Charlotte RafalukGerrit Joop
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May 22, 2019·Ecology and Evolution·Michael E HoodJessica L Abbate
Nov 30, 2019·BMC Evolutionary Biology·Tiffany A ChinMelania E Cristescu
Sep 19, 2020·BMC Evolutionary Biology·Britta BuekerDominik Begerow
May 14, 2021·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Emily L BrunsMichael E Hood
Aug 13, 2021·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Ricardo Muñiz Trejo

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