Evolution of mutualism from parasitism in experimental virus populations

• DOI: 10.1111/evo.13440
• Publication Date: 2018-01-30T09:22:39Z
• Authors: Jason W. Shapiro; Paul E. Turner
• Keywords: Mutualism; Experimental Evolution; Commensalism; Coevolution

While theory suggests conditions under which mutualism may evolve from parasitism, few studies have observed this transition empirically. Previously, we evolved Escherichia coli and the filamentous bacteriophage M13 in 96-well microplates, an environment ancestral phage increased growth rate yield of bacteria. In majority populations, was maintained or even enhanced between phages coevolving bacteria; however, these same traits that harmed E. genotype. Here, set out to determine if could new parasitic interaction. To do so, chose six populations original experiment used them establish infections After 20 passages, almost all replicates, with remainder growing commensally. Many also benefit both their local, evolving bacteria bacteria, though were less beneficial co-occurring hosts than harm These results demonstrate rapid recovery discuss how our findings relate evolution enhance virulence bacterial pathogens.