Host specificity, genetic variability and genealogy in populations of model parasite species

Abstract

Parasites represent one of the most common ecological strategies and host-parasite coevolution belongs among the major processes governing evolution of biodiversity on the global scale. Genetic structure and diversity of populations of parasites and their hosts, and their genetic connectivity are the key elements in long-term population survival and evolution. Host switches often disturb the parallel evolution of interacting taxa, even in highly host-specific parasites. Evaluation of importance of the degree of intimacy between parasites and hosts is not a trivial task, because evolutionary patterns observed today were formed by an interplay of many (sometimes previously unforeseen) historical and ecological factors. To reveal the mechanisms of coevolution between parasites and their hosts, inter- and intra-specific genealogical structures in three model systems were analyzed: namely, the sucking lice Polyplax serrata and Apodemus hosts, chewing lice of the genus Menacanthus and endoparasitic coccidean genus Eimeria from Apodemus mice.