Data from: Prophage as a genetic reservoir: Promoting diversity and driving innovation in the host community

Sequencing of bacterial genomes has revealed an abundance of prophage
sequences in many bacterial species. Since these sequences are accessible,
through recombination, to infecting phages, bacteria carry an arsenal of
genetic material that can be used by these viruses. We develop a
mathematical model to isolate the effects of this phenomenon on the
coevolution of temperate phage and bacteria. The model predicts that
prophage sequences may play a key role in maintaining the phage population
in situations that would otherwise favour host cell resistance. In
addition, prophage recombination facilitates the existence of multiple
phage types, thus promoting diverse co-existence in the phage-host
ecosystem. Finally, because the host carries an archive of previous phage
strategies, prophage recombination can drive waves of innovation in the
host cell population.