How to translate text using browser tools
1 March 2005 INTRASPECIFIC COMPETITION AND THE EVOLUTION OF VIRULENCE IN A PARASITIC TREMATODE
Charlotte M. Gower, Joanne P. Webster
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Intrahost competition between parasite genotypes has been predicted to be an important force shaping parasite ecology and evolution and has been extensively cited as a mechanism for the evolution of increased parasite virulence. However, empirical evidence demonstrating the existence and nature of intraspecific competition is lacking for many parasites. Here, we compared within-host competitiveness between genetic strains of Schistosoma mansoni with high (HIGH-V) or low (LOW-V) virulence to their intermediate snail host, Biomphalaria glabrata. Groups of snails were exposed to either one or the other of two parasite strains, or a mixed infection of both strains, and the resulting progeny were identified using a molecular marker. In two separate experiments investigating simultaneous and sequential infections, we demonstrated that the lifetime reproductive success of parasite strain HIGH-V was reduced in the presence of a faster replicating parasite genotype, LOW-V, regardless of whether it was in a majority or minority in the initial inoculum of the simultaneous exposure or of its relative position in the sequential exposure experiment. Thus, we demonstrate competition between parasite genotypes and asymmetry in competitive success between parasite strains. Moreover, since the less virulent strain investigated here had a competitive advantage, we suggest that a high frequency of multiple infections could favor the evolution of less, rather than more, virulent parasites in this system.

Charlotte M. Gower and Joanne P. Webster "INTRASPECIFIC COMPETITION AND THE EVOLUTION OF VIRULENCE IN A PARASITIC TREMATODE," Evolution 59(3), 544-553, (1 March 2005). https://doi.org/10.1554/04-475
Received: 2 August 2004; Accepted: 13 December 2004; Published: 1 March 2005
JOURNAL ARTICLE
10 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
Biomphalaria glabrata
competition
multiple infection
Schistosoma mansoni
virulence evolution
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top