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Population mixing accelerates coevolution
Author(s) -
Brockhurst Michael A.,
Morgan Andrew D.,
Rainey Paul B.,
Buckling Angus
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00531.x
Subject(s) - coevolution , biology , microcosm , pseudomonas fluorescens , population , ecology , experimental evolution , antagonistic coevolution , mixing (physics) , bacteriophage , evolutionary biology , bacteria , genetics , mating , escherichia coli , quantum mechanics , sociology , sexual conflict , gene , demography , physics
Theory predicts that mixing in spatially structured populations of hosts and parasites can increase the rate of antagonistic coevolution. We experimentally tested this prediction by allowing populations of bacteria ( Pseudomonas fluorescens ) and parasitic bacteriophage to coevolve in mixed and unmixed microcosms. Coevolution proceeded at approximately twice the rate in mixed populations compared with unmixed populations and caused the evolution of more resistant hosts and more infective parasites.