Digest: Evolution of viral fitness is influenced by host genetic spatial structure

Host population dynamics influence viral evolution and host specialization. In a recent study, Visher et al. (2026) investigate the role of spatially structured host genotypes in the evolution of generalist and specialist viruses. Through experimentally evolving Plodia interpunctella granulovirus (PiGV) in inbred hosts of spatially clustered genotypes, the authors demonstrate that, even in heterogeneous populations, population clusters result in viral specialization and inhibit the rise of generalist viruses.