Interspecific hybridization impacts host range and pathogenicity of filamentous microbes.
Interspecific hybridization is widely observed within diverse eukaryotic taxa, and is considered an important driver for genome evolution. As hybridization fuels genomic and transcriptional alterations, hybrids are adept to respond to environmental changes or to invade novel niches. This may be particularly relevant for organisms that establish symbiotic relationships with host organisms, such as mutualistic symbionts, endophytes and pathogens. The latter group is especially well-known for engaging in everlasting arms races with their hosts. Illustrated by the increased identification of hybrid pathogens with altered virulence or host ranges when compared with their parental lineages, it appears that hybridization is a strong driver for pathogen evolution, and may thus significantly impact agriculture and natural ecosystems.
Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands; Department of Crops and Agronomy, National Institute of Agricultural Botany, Huntingdon Road, CB3 0LE Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Jasper Rl
JR
Depotter
Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Michael F
MF
Seidl
Department of Crops and Agronomy, National Institute of Agricultural Botany, Huntingdon Road, CB3 0LE Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Thomas A
TA
Wood
Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: bart.thomma@wur.nl.
Bart Phj
BP
Thomma
D001203:Ascomycota / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005075:Biological Evolution; D017753:Ecosystem; D016681:Genome, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D058507:Host Specificity / Q000235:genetics*; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D009868:Oomycetes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D010944:Plants / Q000382:microbiology*; D013559:Symbiosis / Q000235:genetics*; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics