Phylogenetic Analyses of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.1.7 Lineage Suggest a Single Origin Followed by Multiple Exportation Events Versus Convergent Evolution
Antoine Chaillon, Davey M. Smith
Abstract
The emergence of new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) herald a new phase of the pandemic. This study used state-of-the-art phylodynamic methods to ascertain that the rapid rise of B.1.1.7 "Variant of Concern" most likely occurred by global dispersal rather than convergent evolution from multiple sources.
Topics & Concepts
Convergent evolutionPhylogenetic treeLineage (genetic)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)CoronavirusPandemicBetacoronavirusPhylogeneticsCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakMedicineSevere acute respiratory syndromeVirologyEvolutionary biologyMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirusBiological dispersalBiologyGeneticsOutbreakGenePathologyDiseasePopulationEnvironmental healthInfectious disease (medical specialty)Evolution and Genetic DynamicsGenomics and Phylogenetic StudiesYersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research