Evolution at experimental epidemic fronts speeds up parasite spread
Manasven Raina, Margherita Allotta, Julien D. Lombard, Jhelam N. Deshpande, Charlene Sanchez, Claire Gougat‐Barbera, Leandro Gammuto, Giulio Petroni, Oliver Kaltz, Giacomo Zilio
This study shows that parasites at the front of an epidemic evolve higher infectivity and lower virulence, which accelerates epidemic spread when host dispersal is limited.
bioRxiv · Jun 15, 2026 · PreprintEvolutionary Biology