Virulence constrains transmission even in the absence of a genetic trade-off

Abstract

The virulence-transmission trade-off predicts that parasite fitness peaks at intermediate virulence. However, whether this relationship is driven by the environment or genetically determined and if it depends on transmission opportunities remains unclear. We tackled these issues using inbred lines of the macro-parasitic spider-mite Tetranychus urticae. When transmission was not possible during the infection period, we observed a hump-shaped relationship between virulence and parasite fitness, as predicted by theory. This was environmentally driven, as no genetic correlation between traits was detected. However, when transmission to uninfected hosts occurred during the infection period, virulence was positively, environmentally and genetically correlated with parasite fitness. Therefore, the virulence-transmission trade-off depends on within-host dynamics and on the timing of transmission, rather than on a genetic correlation. This fundamental correlation may thus be easier to manipulate than previously thought.