TY - JOUR

T1 - Phenotypic variation and genomic variation in insect virulence traits reveal patterns of intraspecific diversity in a locust-specific fungal pathogen

AU - Parker, Dinah

AU - Meyling, Nicolai V.

AU - De Fine Licht, Henrik H.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Evolutionary Biology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society for Evolutionary Biology.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Intraspecific pathogen diversity is crucial for understanding the evolution and maintenance of adaptation in host–pathogen interactions. Traits associated with virulence are often a significant source of variation directly impacted by local selection pressures. The specialist fungal entomopathogen, Metarhizium acridum, has been widely implemented as a biological control agent of locust pests in tropical regions of the world. However, few studies have accounted for natural intraspecific phenotypic and genetic variation. Here, we examine the diversity of nine isolates of M. acridum spanning the known geographic distribution, in terms of (1) virulence towards two locust species, (2) growth rates on three diverse nutrient sources, and (3) comparative genomics to uncover genomic variability. Significant variability in patterns of virulence and growth was shown among the isolates, suggesting intraspecific ecological specialization. Different patterns of virulence were shown between the two locust species, indicative of potential host preference. Additionally, a high level of diversity among M. acridum isolates was observed, revealing increased variation in subtilisin-like proteases from the Pr1 family. These results culminate in the first in-depth analysis regarding multiple facets of natural variation in M. acridum, offering opportunities to understand critical evolutionary drivers of intraspecific diversity in pathogens.

AB - Intraspecific pathogen diversity is crucial for understanding the evolution and maintenance of adaptation in host–pathogen interactions. Traits associated with virulence are often a significant source of variation directly impacted by local selection pressures. The specialist fungal entomopathogen, Metarhizium acridum, has been widely implemented as a biological control agent of locust pests in tropical regions of the world. However, few studies have accounted for natural intraspecific phenotypic and genetic variation. Here, we examine the diversity of nine isolates of M. acridum spanning the known geographic distribution, in terms of (1) virulence towards two locust species, (2) growth rates on three diverse nutrient sources, and (3) comparative genomics to uncover genomic variability. Significant variability in patterns of virulence and growth was shown among the isolates, suggesting intraspecific ecological specialization. Different patterns of virulence were shown between the two locust species, indicative of potential host preference. Additionally, a high level of diversity among M. acridum isolates was observed, revealing increased variation in subtilisin-like proteases from the Pr1 family. These results culminate in the first in-depth analysis regarding multiple facets of natural variation in M. acridum, offering opportunities to understand critical evolutionary drivers of intraspecific diversity in pathogens.

KW - biocontrol

KW - entomopathogenic fungi

KW - Metharizium

KW - Orthoptera

KW - virulence

U2 - 10.1111/jeb.14214

DO - 10.1111/jeb.14214

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37702110

AN - SCOPUS:85170660801

VL - 36

SP - 1438

EP - 1454

JO - Journal of Evolutionary Biology

JF - Journal of Evolutionary Biology

SN - 1010-061X

IS - 10

ER -