Phylogenomic evidence for host specialization and genetic divergence in OsHV-1 infecting Magallana gigas and Ostrea edulis

Understanding how pathogens adapt to new hosts is critical to elucidating the evolutionary mechanisms driving disease emergence. This study investigates the evolutionary dynamics of Ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) in two host species—the Pacific oyster Magallana gigas and the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis—to address the question of host specificity and cross-species transmission. While OsHV-1 is primarily associated with mortality in M. gigas, its detection in O. edulis raises concerns about its potential host range and evolutionary trajectory. We aimed to determine whether viral populations in these two hosts show genetic differentiation and to identify the evolutionary forces shaping this divergence. Using high-throughput sequencing, we assembled 40 OsHV-1 genomes from both oyster species and applied comparative genomics, population genetics, and phylodynamic approaches. Our results show that host species significantly influence viral genetic structure, with two distinct lineages emerging after a cross-species transmission event likely following the introduction of M. gigas into Europe. Selection signals were detected in viral genes related to host interaction, replication, and membrane-associated functions, suggesting host-driven adaptation. These findings underscore the importance of host-specific evolutionary pressures in shaping viral diversity and provide a framework for future studies on host-virus coevolution in marine ecosystems.