Host–parasite coevolution and patterns of adaptation across time and space

2008/08/20 by Sylvain Gandon, S. GANDON, A. BUCKLING +5 · 3 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · Social Sciences · #Evolution and Genetic Dynamics #Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation #Mathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology Models

paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2008.01598.x

openalex publication_date 2008/08/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25

Abstract

The description of coevolutionary dynamics requires a characterization of the evolutionary dynamics of both the parasite and its host. However, a thorough description of the underlying genetics of the coevolutionary process is often extremely difficult to carry out. We propose that measures of adaptation (mean population fitness) across time or space may represent a feasible alternative approach for characterizing important features of the coevolutionary process. We discuss recent experimental work in the light of simple mathematical models of coevolution to demonstrate the potential power of this phenotypic experimental approach.

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• Speed of adaptation and genomic footprints of host-parasite coevolution under arms race and trench warfare dynamics
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