Spatial Structure, Transmission Modes and the Evolution of Viral Exploitation Strategies
Fig 5
A 1:1 mixture of temperate λ and its virulent mutant λcI857 was used to seed spatial epidemics. Spatial structure was disturbed to different degree (undisturbed, 30s, 24h, 24h-wet) and transferred onto a fresh biofilm of susceptible hosts for 3 consecutive days. Disturbance of the epidemic structure has a strong effect on the competitive fitness of the virulent λcI857. The undisturbed environment strongly selects against virulence whereas in a well-mixed environment (24h-wet) virulence is beneficial. As expected, intermediate levels of mixing (30s, 24h) lead to intermediate fitness of λcI857. Symbols represent 6 replications for each mixing treatment (with 3 independent replicates for each marker-mutant combination).