Evolutionarily Optimal Phage Life-History Traits

Optimal phage life-history traits are computed from data on phenotypic tradeoffs presented in De Paepe and Tadei (2006). A parameter is introduced, l_e, that describes the loss of virions in the environment. Hygienic interventions increase l_e. The optimal burst size decreases with l_e and the optimal capsid thickness increases with l_e. The optimal viral fitness also decreases with l_e. An intervention that progressively lowers the transmission of phage in the environment will progressively cause the evolution of decreased burst size and increased capsid thickness until a point at which the virus either goes extinct, if virulent, or is driven to lysogenize, if temperate.