Abstract
Multispecies host-parasite evolution is common, but how parasites evolve after speciating remains poorly understood. On one hand, their shared evolutionary history and physiology may propel them along similar evolutionary trajectories. Alternatively, they may pursue different strategies to reduce competition with each other. Here, we test these scenarios using the economically important association between honey bees and ectoparasitic mites by sequencing the genomes of the sister species Varroa destructor and Varroa jacobsoni. We also compare them to another honey bee mite (Tropilaelaps mercedesae). We find different sets of genes and gene ontology terms under selection in each of the lineages, indicating distinct selective regimes operating on each of the parasites. Divergent strategies pursued by the parasites may make it harder for the host species to develop tolerance to all of them at the same time. Based on our findings, we suggest that species-specific strategies may be needed to combat evolving parasite communities.
