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The first steps toward a global pandemic: Reconstructing the demographic history of parasite host switches in its native range
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  • Maéva Techer,
  • John Roberts,
  • Reed Cartwright,
  • Alexander Mikheyev
Maéva Techer
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University

Corresponding Author:maeva.angelique.techer@gmail.com

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John Roberts
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
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Reed Cartwright
Arizona State University
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Alexander Mikheyev
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
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Abstract

Host switching allows parasites to expand their niches. However, successful switching may require suites of adaptations and also may decrease performance on the old host. As a result, reductions in gene flow accompany many host switches, driving speciation. Because host switches tend to be rapid, it is difficult to study their demographic parameters in real-time. Fundamental factors that control subsequent parasite evolution, such as the size of the switching population or the extent of immigration from the original host, remain largely unknown. To shed light on the host switching process, we explored the history of independent switches by two ectoparasitic honey bee mites (Varroa destructor and V. jacobsoni). Both switched to the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) after it was brought into contact with their ancestral host (Apis cerana), ~70 and ~12 years ago, respectively. Varroa destructor subsequently caused worldwide collapses of honey bee populations. Using whole-genome sequencing on 63 mites collected in their native ranges from both the ancestral and novel hosts, we were able to reconstruct the known temporal dynamics of the switch. We further found multiple previously undiscovered mitochondrial lineages on the novel host, along with the genetic equivalent of tens of individuals that were involved in the initial host switch. Despite being greatly reduced, some gene flow remains between mites adapted to different hosts. Our findings suggest that while reproductive isolation may facilitate the fixation of traits beneficial for exploitation of the new host, ongoing genetic exchange may allow genetic amelioration of inbreeding effects.
27 Jul 2021Submitted to Molecular Ecology
29 Jul 2021Submission Checks Completed
29 Jul 2021Assigned to Editor
25 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
28 Oct 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
24 Nov 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Nov 20211st Revision Received
29 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Mar 2022Published in Molecular Ecology volume 31 issue 5 on pages 1358-1374. 10.1111/mec.16322