Selection by parasites may increase host recombination frequency

Host manipulation by parasites: a multidimensional phenomenon

F. Th omas ([email protected]), Génétique et Evolution des Maladies Infectieuses, UMR CNRS/IRD 2724, 911 Ave. Agropolis, BP 64501, FR–34394 Montpellier cedex 5, France. – FT and J. Brodeur, Inst. de recherche en biologie végétale, Dépt de sciences biologiques, Univ. de Montréal 4101, rue Sherbrooke est, Montréal (Québec), H1X 2B2, Canada. – R. Poulin, Dept of Zoology, Univ. of Otago, PO Box 5...

Intraspecific variability in host manipulation by parasites.

Manipulative parasites have the capacity to alter a broad range of phenotypic traits in their hosts, extending from colour, morphology and behaviour. While significant attention has been devoted to describing the diversity of host manipulation among parasite clades, and testing the adaptive value of phenotypic traits that can be manipulated, there is increasing evidence that variation exists in...

Abrupt suspension of probiotics administration may increase host pathogen susceptibility by inducing gut dysbiosis

In this study, we investigated the risk associated with suspension of probiotics administration in tilapia, an animal model that may mimic immune-compromised conditions in humans. Tilapias were fed for 14 days using a probiotics-supplemented diet, followed by a three-day suspension of probiotics treatment and a subsequent challenge by Aeromonas hydrophila. Unexpectedly, the suspension of a prob...

Rapid host adaptation by extensive recombination

Experimental investigations into virus recombination can provide valuable insights into the biochemical mechanisms and the evolutionary value of this fundamental biological process. Here, we describe an experimental scheme for studying recombination that should be applicable to any recombinogenic viruses amenable to the production of synthetic infectious genomes. Our approach is based on differ...

Implementing New Regulation Promotes Health but May Increase Inequality