PRJNA767008
GBS data of a Microtus arvalis Hybridzone
The natural host ranges of many viruses are restricted to very specific taxa. Little is known about the molecular barriers between species that lead to the establishment of this restriction or generally prevent virus emergence in new hosts. In our study, we identify genomic polymorphisms in a natural rodent host associated with a strong genetic barrier to the transmission of the European Tula orthohantavirus (TULV). We analyzed the very abrupt spatial transition between two major phylogenetic clades in TULV across the comparatively much wider natural hybrid zone between evolutionary lineages of their reservoir host, the common vole (Microtus arvalis). This study demonstrates the relevance of natural hybrid zones as systems not only for studying processes of evolutionary divergence and speciation, but also for the detection of evolving genetic barriers for specialized parasites.