Bacteriophage effect on parasitism resistance

TL;DR

This study introduces a mathematical model to understand how bacteriophage-mediated parasitism resistance affects host-parasitoid dynamics, emphasizing the roles of vertical transmission and host survival in maintaining coexistence.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel mathematical model analyzing the impact of bacteriophage effects on parasitism resistance and host-parasitoid interactions, supported by experimental parameterization.

Findings

Vertical transmission of bacteriophage influences host survival and coexistence.

Host survival after parasitoid attack is crucial for long-term dynamics.

Model parameters based on experiments with A. pisum biotypes.

Abstract

Many studies have shown that the protection of the host $\it{Acyrthosiphon~pisum}$ (Hemiptera, Aphididae) against the parasitoid $\it{Aphidius~ervi}$ (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is conferred by the interaction between the secondary endosymbiont $\it{Hamiltonella~defensa}$ and the bacteriophage $\it{APSE}$ ($\it{Acyrthosiphon~pisum}$ secondary endosymbiont). This interaction consists of the production of toxins by the endosymbiont's molecular machinery, which is encoded by the inserted $\it{APSE}$ genes. The toxins prevent the development of the parasitoid's egg, conferring protection for the host. However, the effects of this microscopic interaction on host-parasitoid dynamics are still an open question. We presented a new mathematical model based on the bacteriophage effect on parasitism resistance. We identified that the vertical transmission of the bacteriophage and the host survival after the parasitoid attack are potential drivers of coexistence. Also, we showed that the vertical transmission of $\it{H.~defensa}$ is proportional to the time that the protected population became extinct. Our results showed that the protected and unprotected hosts' survival after the parasitoid attack is fundamental to understanding the equilibrium of long host-parasitoid dynamics. Finally, we illustrated our model considering its parameters based on experiments performed with $\it{A.~pisum}$ biotypes $\it{Genista~tinctoria}$ and $\it{Medicago~sativa}$.