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Title: Phylogenetic aggregation increases zoonotic potential of mammalian viruses
While many viruses of wild mammals are capable of infecting humans, our understanding of zoonotic potential is incomplete. Viruses vary in their degree of generalism, characterized by the phylogenetic relationships of their hosts. Among the dimensions of this phylogenetic landscape, phylogenetic aggregation, which is largely overlooked in studies of parasite host range, emerges in this study as a key predictor of zoonotic status of viruses. Plausibly, viruses that exhibit aggregation, typified by discrete clusters of related host species, may (i) have been able to close the phylogenetic distance to humans, (ii) have subsequently acquired an epidemiologically relevant host and (iii) exhibit relatively high fitness in realized host communities, which are frequently phylogenetically aggregated. These mechanisms associated with phylogenetic aggregation may help explain why correlated fundamental traits, such as the ability of viruses to replicate in the cytoplasm, are associated with zoonoses.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1754255
PAR ID:
10179861
Author(s) / Creator(s):
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Biology Letters
Volume:
15
Issue:
12
ISSN:
1744-9561
Page Range / eLocation ID:
20190668
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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