Antagonistic coevolution of marine planktonic viruses and their hosts

TY - JOUR

T1 - Antagonistic coevolution of marine planktonic viruses and their hosts

AU - Martiny, Jennifer B.H.

AU - Riemann, Lasse

AU - Marston, Marcia F.

AU - Middelboe, Mathias

PY - 2014

Y1 - 2014

N2 - The potential for antagonistic coevolution between marine viruses and their (primarily bacterial) hosts is well documented, but our understanding of the consequences of this rapid evolution is in its infancy. Acquisition of resistance against co-occurring viruses and the subsequent evolution of virus host range in response have implications for bacterial mortality rates as well as for community composition and diversity. Drawing on examples from a range of environments, we consider the potential dynamics, underlying genetic mechanisms and fitness costs, and ecological impacts of virus-host coevolution in marine waters. Given that much of our knowledge is derived from laboratory experiments, we also discuss potential challenges and approaches in scaling up to diverse, complex networks of virus-host interactions. Finally, we note that a variety of novel approaches for characterizing virus-host interactions offer new hope for a mechanistic understanding of antagonistic coevolution in marine plankton.

AB - The potential for antagonistic coevolution between marine viruses and their (primarily bacterial) hosts is well documented, but our understanding of the consequences of this rapid evolution is in its infancy. Acquisition of resistance against co-occurring viruses and the subsequent evolution of virus host range in response have implications for bacterial mortality rates as well as for community composition and diversity. Drawing on examples from a range of environments, we consider the potential dynamics, underlying genetic mechanisms and fitness costs, and ecological impacts of virus-host coevolution in marine waters. Given that much of our knowledge is derived from laboratory experiments, we also discuss potential challenges and approaches in scaling up to diverse, complex networks of virus-host interactions. Finally, we note that a variety of novel approaches for characterizing virus-host interactions offer new hope for a mechanistic understanding of antagonistic coevolution in marine plankton.

U2 - 10.1146/annurev-marine-010213-135108

DO - 10.1146/annurev-marine-010213-135108

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23987913

SN - 1941-1405

VL - 6

SP - 393

EP - 414

JO - Annual Review of Marine Science

JF - Annual Review of Marine Science

ER -