Why is a pathogen generally more virulent in a new habitat?
A) Intermediate host species are more motile and transport pathogens to new areas.
B) Pathogens evolve more efficient forms of reproduction in new environments.
C) Hosts in new environments have not had a chance to become resistant to the pathogen through natural selection.
D) New environments are almost always smaller in area so that transmission of pathogens is easily accomplished between hosts.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hosts in new environments have not had a chance to develop resistance to the pathogen through natural selection. This allows the pathogen to infect and potentially cause more severe and widespread disease before the host population can build up any resistance.

Why Is a Pathogen Generally More Virulent in a New