Gene flow and the coevolution of parasite range

描述(由申请者提供)：拟议的研究将开发新的 将人口学和共同进化纳入数学模型 寄主-寄生虫的空间结构相互作用。因为这些新型号将 允许数学分析，它们比过去有了很大的进步 完全依赖于数值模拟的工作。对这些问题的分析 模型将阐明基因流动和共同进化在形成过程中所起的作用 寄生虫的地理分布和范围限制。此外， 结果将产生可检验的预测，以预测基因比率如何变化 水流改变了寄生虫地理范围的平衡大小。这些 随着基因流动的自然模式，预测变得越来越重要 由于栖息地碎片化而受到破坏，可能会导致 寄生虫和传染病的扩张。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed research will develop new mathematical models that incorporate both demography and coevolution into spatially structured host-parasite interactions. Because these new models will allow mathematical analysis, they represent a substantial advance over past work that has relied exclusively on numerical simulations. Analysis of these models will elucidate the role that gene flow and coevolution play in shaping the geographic distributions and range limits of parasites. In addition, the results will generate testable predictions for how changes in rates of gene flow alter the equilibrium sizes of parasite geographic ranges. These predictions become increasingly important as natural patterns of gene flow become disrupted through habitat fragmentation, potentially leading to range expansions of parasites and infectious diseases.