Evolution of pathogen dormancy in fluctuating environments
Dormancy is a widespread life-history strategy that enables organisms to persist through periods of adverse environmental conditions. Despite its prevalence, the evolutionary forces shaping dormancy and the timing of reactivation remain poorly understood, particularly in pathogens facing predictable environmental fluctuations. Here, we investigate how seasonal variation can drive the joint…
Dormancy is a common tactic employed by organisms to survive in challenging environmental circumstances. However, the evolutionary factors that determine dormancy and the optimal timing for reactivation are not well understood, especially in pathogens that encounter predictable environmental changes. In this study, researchers examined how seasonal fluctuations can influence the simultaneous development of both dormancy and reactivation abilities in pathogens, and whether these traits evolve as consistent or adaptable strategies.
By utilizing a theoretical model of vector-borne disease transmission, the researchers discovered that the impact of seasonality on the evolution of dormancy and reactivation is contingent upon the environmental signals available to pathogens and the accuracy of these cues in forecasting future transmission chances. The ideal timing of transitions between active and dormant states relies heavily on the nature of environmental indicators and their predictive value for future transmission possibilities.
Although this research is centered around relapsing malaria parasites, the findings provide a general framework for understanding how dormancy can evolve as an adaptive response to periodic environmental fluctuations in various pathogen systems.
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