Host-parasite interactions in non-native invasive species are dependent on the levels of standing genetic variation at the immune locus

Researchers looked for parasite infection in 237 raccoons to look at the diversity of the MHC DRB locus and determine if frequency of MHC alleles is shaped by parasite pressure. The invasive species showed quick response to this pressure. #MUevolution20 ht

The article explains how allele-parasite associations and infections intensity are used to characterize genetic clusters, as demonstrated in raccoons. Genetic variation shown to shape host-parasite relationships and survival of the invader. #MUevolution20