Open AccessPliant pathogens: Estimating viral spread when confronted with new vector, host, and environmental conditions
Author(s) -
PorathKrause Anita,
Campbell Ryan,
Shoemaker Lauren,
Sieben Andrew,
Strauss Alexander T.,
Shaw Allison K.,
Seabloom Eric W.,
Borer Elizabeth T.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.7178
Subject(s) - biology , host (biology) , abiotic component , pathogen , vector (molecular biology) , transmission (telecommunications) , nutrient , ecology , virology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , electrical engineering , engineering , gene , recombinant dna
Pathogen spread rates are determined, in part, by the performance of pathogens under altered environmental conditions and their ability to persist while switching among hosts and vectors. To determine the effects of new conditions (host, vector, and nutrient) on pathogen spread rate, we introduced a vector‐borne viral plant pathogen, Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus PAV (BYDV‐PAV) into hosts, vectors, and host nutrient supplies that it had not encountered for thousands of viral generations. We quantified pathogen prevalence over the course of two serial inoculations under the new conditions. Using individual‐level transmission rates from this experiment, we parameterized a dynamical model of disease spread and projected spread across host populations through a growing season. A change in nutrient conditions (increased supply of phosphorus) reduced viral transmission whereas shifting to a new vector or host species had no effect on infection prevalence. However, the reduction in the new nutrient environment was only temporary; infection prevalence recovered after the second inoculation. Synthesis . These results highlight how robust the pathogen, BYDV‐PAV, is to changes in its biotic and abiotic environment. Our study also highlights the need to quantify longitudinal infection information beyond snapshot assessments to project disease risk for pathogens in new environments.