Evolutionary epidemiology of schistosomiasis: linking parasite genetics with disease phenotype in humans

Here we assess the role of parasite genetic variation in host disease phenotype in human schistosomiasis by implementing concepts and techniques from environmental association analysis in evolutionary epidemiology. Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease that affects more than 200 million people worldwide and is caused by parasitic flatworms belonging to the genus Schistosoma. While the role of host genetics has been extensively studied and demonstrated, nothing is yet known on the contribution of parasite genetic variation to host disease phenotype in human schistosomiasis. In this study microsatellite genotypes of 1561 Schistosoma mansoni larvae collected from 44 human hosts in Senegal were linked to host characteristics such as age, gender, infection intensity, liver and bladder morbidity by means of multivariate regression methods (on each parasite locus separately). This revealed a highly significant association between allelic variation at the parasite locus L46951 and host infection intensity and bladder morbidity. Locus L46951 is located in the 3′ untranslated region of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase gene that is expressed in reproductive organs of adult schistosome worms and appears to be linked to egg production. This putative link between parasite genetic variation and schistosomiasis disease phenotype sets the stage for further functional research.     

Evolutionary history and molecular epidemiology of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in the Iberian Peninsula and Western Europe

Background  

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a highly virulent calicivirus, first described in domestic rabbits in China in 1984. RHDV appears to be a mutant form of a benign virus that existed in Europe long before the first outbreak. In the Iberian Peninsula, the first epidemic in 1988 severely reduced the populations of autochthonous European wild rabbit. To examine the evolutionary history of RHDV in the Iberian Peninsula, we collected virus samples from wild rabbits and sequenced a fragment of the capsid protein gene VP60. These data together with available sequences from other Western European countries, were analyzed following Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to infer their phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary rates and demographic history.     

Evolutionary Trends

The occurrence, generality, and causes of large-scale evolutionary trends—directional changes over long periods of time—have been the subject of intensive study and debate in evolutionary science. Large-scale patterns in the history of life have also been of considerable interest to nonspecialists, although misinterpretations and misunderstandings of this important issue are common and can have significant implications for an overall understanding of evolution. This paper provides an overview of how trends are identified, categorized, and explained in evolutionary biology. Rather than reviewing any particular trend in detail, the intent is to provide a framework for understanding large-scale evolutionary patterns in general and to highlight the fact that both the patterns and their underlying causes are usually quite complex.

Evolutionary Ecology

Instructions for Authors

Evolutionary Ecology     

Evolutionary physiology

The tasks, methods and principles of the evolution of functions are overviewed at various levels of organization of physiological systems with the focus on the central problem of physiological evolution—the origin of life and formation of protocellular functions. This stage of evolution is associated with the emergence of the plasma membrane and ion asymmetry of the cell relative to the extracellular environment. For a long time, evolution proceeded in the sea, where extracellular sodium ions in tandem with the intracellular potassium dominance created conditions for the emergence of electrogenesis, polar cells and epithelia, as well as for the formation of the extracellular body fluid system, making up the internal environment of multicellular organisms. The features of the evolution of organs and functional systems are analyzed. During evolution, hormones, autakoids and incretins began to be involved in the regulation of functions alongside with the nervous system. Sodium-dependent processes in the plasma membrane stimulated the development of absorptive, digestive, excretory, respiratory and homeostatic functions. The substance and patterns of functional evolution are discussed.     

Evolutionary neurobiology

The chasm that formerly separated evolutionary biology from the research of physiologists and developmental biologists has been partially bridged in recent years. An increasing amount of research in the neurosciences makes explicit reference to issues in evolutionary biology. Much of this research is an attempt to understand structures and functions of the brain as adaptations to an animal's physical and social environment. In addition, however, some of this research at the interface of evolutionary biology and neurobiology provides information on internal evolutionary factors and the way they may constrain evolution by natural selection.     

Evolutionary Ecology

Instructions for Authors

Evolutionary Ecology     

Evolutionary computation

Evolution does not require DNA, or even living organisms. In computer science, the field known as 'evolutionary computation' uses evolution as an algorithmic tool, implementing random variation, reproduction and selection by altering and moving data within a computer. This harnesses the power of evolution as an alternative to the more traditional ways to design software or hardware. Research into evolutionary computation should be of interest to geneticists, as evolved programs often reveal properties - such as robustness and non-expressed DNA - that are analogous to many biological phenomena.