Potential Drivers of Virulence Evolution in Aquaculture

Overview

Journal Evol Appl

Specialty Biology

Date 2016 Feb 3

PMID 26834829

Citations 28

Authors

David A Kennedy

Gael Kurath

Ilana L Brito

Maureen K Purcell

Andrew F Read

James R Winton

Andrew R Wargo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Infectious diseases are economically detrimental to aquaculture, and with continued expansion and intensification of aquaculture, the importance of managing infectious diseases will likely increase in the future. Here, we use evolution of virulence theory, along with examples, to identify aquaculture practices that might lead to the evolution of increased pathogen virulence. We identify eight practices common in aquaculture that theory predicts may favor evolution toward higher pathogen virulence. Four are related to intensive aquaculture operations, and four others are related specifically to infectious disease control. Our intention is to make aquaculture managers aware of these risks, such that with increased vigilance, they might be able to detect and prevent the emergence and spread of increasingly troublesome pathogen strains in the future.

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