Virulence Evolution via Pleiotropy in Vector-Borne Plant Pathogens.

The dynamics of virulence evolution in vector-borne plant pathogens can be complex. Here, we use individual-based, quantitative-genetic simulations to investigate how virulence evolution depends on genetic trade-offs and population structure. Although quite generic, the model is inspired by the ecology of the plant-pathogenic bacterium , and we use it to gain insights into possible modes of virulence evolution in that group.

Identification of runs of homozygosity in Western honey bees () using whole-genome sequencing data.

Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are continuous homozygous segments that arise through the transmission of haplotypes that are identical by descent. The length and distribution of ROH segments provide insights into the genetic diversity of populations and can be associated with selection signatures. Here, we analyzed reconstructed whole-genome queen genotypes, from a pool-seq data experiment including 265 Western honeybee colonies from and .

Delaying quantitative resistance to pesticides and antibiotics.

How can we best vary the application of pesticides and antibiotics to delay resistance evolution? Previous theoretical comparisons of deployment strategies have focused on qualitative resistance traits and have mostly assumed that resistance alleles are already present in a population. But many real resistance traits are quantitative, and the evolution of resistant genotypes in the field may depend on de novo mutation and recombination. Here, I use an individual-based, forward-time, quantitative-genetic simulation model to investigate the evolution of quantitative resistance.

Social structure of perennial wasp colonies.

Many social species show variation in their social structure in response to different environmental conditions. For example, colonies of the yellowjacket wasp are typically headed by a single reproductive queen and survive for only a single season. However, in warmer climates, colonies sometimes persist for multiple years and can grow to extremely large size.