Dispersal, host genotype and environment shape the spatial dynamics of a parasite in the wild

作者：Ekholm Adam; Roslin Tomas; Pulkkinen Pertti; Tack Ayco J M

来源：Ecology, 2017, 98(10): 2574-2584.

DOI：10.1002/ecy.1949

• colonization
• disease dynamics
• dispersal
• epidemiology
• Erysiphe alphitoides
• host-parasite interaction
• landscape scale
• metapopulation
• pedunculate oak
• powdery mildew
• Quercus robur
• spatial dynamics

Dispersal, environment and genetic variation may all play a role in shaping host-parasite dynamics. Yet, in natural systems, their relative importance remains unresolved. Here, we do so for the epidemiology of a specialist parasite (Erysiphe alphitoides) on the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur). For this purpose, we combine evidence from a multi-year field survey and two dispersal experiments, all conducted at the landscape scale. Patterns detected in the field survey suggest that the parasite is structured as a metapopulation, with trees in denser oak stands characterized by higher parasite occupancy, higher colonization rates and lower extinction rates. The dispersal experiments revealed a major impact of the environment and of host genotype on the presence and abundance of the parasite, with a weaker but detectable imprint of dispersal limitation. Overall, our findings emphasize that dispersal, host genotype and the environment jointly shape the spatial dynamics of a parasite in the wild.

• 出版日期2017-10