Frédéric Thomas, François Renaud, and Jean-François Guegan (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198529873
- eISBN:
- 9780191712777
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198529873.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
Ecologists, epidemiologists, and evolutionary biologists are increasingly aware of the significance of parasites in the study of ecosystems. This book provides a summary of the issues involved as ...
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Ecologists, epidemiologists, and evolutionary biologists are increasingly aware of the significance of parasites in the study of ecosystems. This book provides a summary of the issues involved as well as an overview of the possibilities offered by this research topic, using well-documented case-studies to illustrate the main trends and prospects in this area. This is the first book devoted to the comprehension of both the roles and consequences of pathogens in ecosystems.Less
Ecologists, epidemiologists, and evolutionary biologists are increasingly aware of the significance of parasites in the study of ecosystems. This book provides a summary of the issues involved as well as an overview of the possibilities offered by this research topic, using well-documented case-studies to illustrate the main trends and prospects in this area. This is the first book devoted to the comprehension of both the roles and consequences of pathogens in ecosystems.
Jens Rolff and Stuart Reynolds (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199551354
- eISBN:
- 9780191720505
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199551354.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
Under continual attack from both microbial pathogens and multicellular parasites, insects must cope with immune challenges every day of their lives. However, this has not prevented them from becoming ...
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Under continual attack from both microbial pathogens and multicellular parasites, insects must cope with immune challenges every day of their lives. However, this has not prevented them from becoming the most successful group of animals on the planet. Insects possess highly-developed innate immune systems which have been fine-tuned by an arms race with pathogens spanning hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history. Recent discoveries are revealing both an unexpected degree of specificity and an indication of immunological memory — the functional hallmark of vertebrate immunity. The study of insect immune systems has accelerated rapidly in recent years and is now becoming an important interdisciplinary field. Furthermore, insects are a phenomenally rich and diverse source of antimicrobial chemicals. Some of these are already being seriously considered as potential therapeutic agents to control microbes such as MRSA. This book provides a coherent synthesis and is structured around two broadly themed sections: mechanisms of immunity and evolutionary ecology. This text adopts an interdisciplinary and concept-driven approach, integrating insights from immunology, molecular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, parasitology, and epidemiology.Less
Under continual attack from both microbial pathogens and multicellular parasites, insects must cope with immune challenges every day of their lives. However, this has not prevented them from becoming the most successful group of animals on the planet. Insects possess highly-developed innate immune systems which have been fine-tuned by an arms race with pathogens spanning hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history. Recent discoveries are revealing both an unexpected degree of specificity and an indication of immunological memory — the functional hallmark of vertebrate immunity. The study of insect immune systems has accelerated rapidly in recent years and is now becoming an important interdisciplinary field. Furthermore, insects are a phenomenally rich and diverse source of antimicrobial chemicals. Some of these are already being seriously considered as potential therapeutic agents to control microbes such as MRSA. This book provides a coherent synthesis and is structured around two broadly themed sections: mechanisms of immunity and evolutionary ecology. This text adopts an interdisciplinary and concept-driven approach, integrating insights from immunology, molecular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, parasitology, and epidemiology.
Geoffrey E. Hill
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- April 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195148480
- eISBN:
- 9780199893683
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195148480.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ornithology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
The House Finch is among the most mundane birds, so ubiquitous and familiar across the U.S. and Canada that it does not rate a glance from most bird enthusiasts. But males have carotenoid-based ...
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The House Finch is among the most mundane birds, so ubiquitous and familiar across the U.S. and Canada that it does not rate a glance from most bird enthusiasts. But males have carotenoid-based plumage coloration that varies markedly among individuals, making the House Finch a model species for studies of the function and evolution of colorful plumage. In more depth and detail than has been attempted for any species of bird, this book takes a tour of the hows and whys of ornamental plumage coloration. The book begins by reviewing the history of the study of colorful plumage, which began in earnest with the debates of Darwin and Wallace but which was largely forgotten by the middle of the 20th century. Documenting the extensive plumage variation among males both within and between populations of House Finches, the book explores the mechanisms behind plumage variation and looks at the fitness consequences of condition-dependent ornament display for both males and females. The book concludes by examining the processes by which carotenoid-based ornamental coloration may have evolved.Less
The House Finch is among the most mundane birds, so ubiquitous and familiar across the U.S. and Canada that it does not rate a glance from most bird enthusiasts. But males have carotenoid-based plumage coloration that varies markedly among individuals, making the House Finch a model species for studies of the function and evolution of colorful plumage. In more depth and detail than has been attempted for any species of bird, this book takes a tour of the hows and whys of ornamental plumage coloration. The book begins by reviewing the history of the study of colorful plumage, which began in earnest with the debates of Darwin and Wallace but which was largely forgotten by the middle of the 20th century. Documenting the extensive plumage variation among males both within and between populations of House Finches, the book explores the mechanisms behind plumage variation and looks at the fitness consequences of condition-dependent ornament display for both males and females. The book concludes by examining the processes by which carotenoid-based ornamental coloration may have evolved.
Richard Sole and Santiago F. Elena
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- May 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780691158846
- eISBN:
- 9780691185118
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691158846.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Viruses are everywhere, infecting all sorts of living organisms, from the tiniest bacteria to the largest mammals. Many are harmful parasites, but viruses also play a major role as drivers of our ...
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Viruses are everywhere, infecting all sorts of living organisms, from the tiniest bacteria to the largest mammals. Many are harmful parasites, but viruses also play a major role as drivers of our evolution as a species and are essential regulators of the composition and complexity of ecosystems on a global scale. This book draws on complex systems theory to provide a fresh look at viral origins, populations, and evolution, and the coevolutionary dynamics of viruses and their hosts. New viruses continue to emerge that threaten people, crops, and farm animals. Viruses constantly evade our immune systems, and antiviral therapies and vaccination campaigns can be powerless against them. These unique characteristics of virus biology are a consequence of their tremendous evolutionary potential, which enables viruses to quickly adapt to any environmental challenge. This book presents a unified framework for understanding viruses as complex adaptive systems. It shows how the application of complex systems theory to viral dynamics has provided new insights into the development of AIDS in patients infected with HIV-1, the emergence of new antigenic variants of the influenza A virus, and other cutting-edge advances. The book also extends the analogy of viruses to the evolution of other replicators such as computer viruses, cancer, and languages.Less
Viruses are everywhere, infecting all sorts of living organisms, from the tiniest bacteria to the largest mammals. Many are harmful parasites, but viruses also play a major role as drivers of our evolution as a species and are essential regulators of the composition and complexity of ecosystems on a global scale. This book draws on complex systems theory to provide a fresh look at viral origins, populations, and evolution, and the coevolutionary dynamics of viruses and their hosts. New viruses continue to emerge that threaten people, crops, and farm animals. Viruses constantly evade our immune systems, and antiviral therapies and vaccination campaigns can be powerless against them. These unique characteristics of virus biology are a consequence of their tremendous evolutionary potential, which enables viruses to quickly adapt to any environmental challenge. This book presents a unified framework for understanding viruses as complex adaptive systems. It shows how the application of complex systems theory to viral dynamics has provided new insights into the development of AIDS in patients infected with HIV-1, the emergence of new antigenic variants of the influenza A virus, and other cutting-edge advances. The book also extends the analogy of viruses to the evolution of other replicators such as computer viruses, cancer, and languages.
Ivona Foitová, Michael A. Huffman, Nurcahyo Wisnu, and Milan Olšanský
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199213276
- eISBN:
- 9780191707568
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199213276.003.0010
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
Good health results from homeostasis: the balancing, through continuous interaction, of an organism’s myriad dynamic physiological processes. Parasitology allows us to gain important information not ...
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Good health results from homeostasis: the balancing, through continuous interaction, of an organism’s myriad dynamic physiological processes. Parasitology allows us to gain important information not only about the types of parasites which are infecting individuals but also about their general condition. By comparing the health of wild and semi-wild orangutans, at different sites under varying degrees of human pressure, this chapter builds a picture of the factors affecting health in these two equally important populations. Our unique approach enables us to investigate whether complex aspects of ethology and ecology influence parasite infections and how parasites may have an impact on whole ecosystems, out of all proportion to their relative size. It is hoped that these efforts will lead to an improved understanding of how best to promote the long-term survival of all orangutans.Less
Good health results from homeostasis: the balancing, through continuous interaction, of an organism’s myriad dynamic physiological processes. Parasitology allows us to gain important information not only about the types of parasites which are infecting individuals but also about their general condition. By comparing the health of wild and semi-wild orangutans, at different sites under varying degrees of human pressure, this chapter builds a picture of the factors affecting health in these two equally important populations. Our unique approach enables us to investigate whether complex aspects of ethology and ecology influence parasite infections and how parasites may have an impact on whole ecosystems, out of all proportion to their relative size. It is hoped that these efforts will lead to an improved understanding of how best to promote the long-term survival of all orangutans.
Mark R. Forbes and Tonia Robb
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199230693
- eISBN:
- 9780191710889
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230693.003.0014
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology, Animal Biology
Parasites are thought to select for host traits, such as elaborate ornaments and intricate immune systems. Dragonflies have proven useful hosts for studying parasite-mediated selection. This chapter ...
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Parasites are thought to select for host traits, such as elaborate ornaments and intricate immune systems. Dragonflies have proven useful hosts for studying parasite-mediated selection. This chapter summarizes whether parasites exert fitness costs on their dragonfly hosts and affect signals and the mating success of males. It also reviews determinants of resistance against ectoparasitic mites, which is present in many dragonfly species and introduces recent work suggesting that host gender and age influence immunological responses to bacterial and artificial challenges. The chapter highlights that the likelihood of demonstrating parasite-mediated selection might depend on whether or not the species being considered is a generalist parasite. New ideas on elucidating how dragonfly prey species should deal with threats from multiple enemies, such as predators and parasites, are considered.Less
Parasites are thought to select for host traits, such as elaborate ornaments and intricate immune systems. Dragonflies have proven useful hosts for studying parasite-mediated selection. This chapter summarizes whether parasites exert fitness costs on their dragonfly hosts and affect signals and the mating success of males. It also reviews determinants of resistance against ectoparasitic mites, which is present in many dragonfly species and introduces recent work suggesting that host gender and age influence immunological responses to bacterial and artificial challenges. The chapter highlights that the likelihood of demonstrating parasite-mediated selection might depend on whether or not the species being considered is a generalist parasite. New ideas on elucidating how dragonfly prey species should deal with threats from multiple enemies, such as predators and parasites, are considered.
Jukka Suhonen, Markus J. Rantala, and Johanna Honkavaara
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199230693
- eISBN:
- 9780191710889
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230693.003.0016
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology, Animal Biology
This chapter discusses causes and consequences of territorial behaviour in odonates. In territorial species, males may use two mating tactics or strategies that may be environmentally or genetically ...
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This chapter discusses causes and consequences of territorial behaviour in odonates. In territorial species, males may use two mating tactics or strategies that may be environmentally or genetically determined: territoriality and non-territoriality. The tactic a male exhibits in each particular case is determined by the cost-benefit ratio of territorial and non-territorial behaviours. The main benefit of territoriality is increased access to females, and the costs may accumulate due to e.g., predation, injuries, and/or energy loss due to territorial contests. Moreover, density of both males and females as well as sex-ratio at breeding sites both contribute to the costs and benefits of each tactic. Interspecific aggression by heterospecific males may also influence the profitability of these tactics.Less
This chapter discusses causes and consequences of territorial behaviour in odonates. In territorial species, males may use two mating tactics or strategies that may be environmentally or genetically determined: territoriality and non-territoriality. The tactic a male exhibits in each particular case is determined by the cost-benefit ratio of territorial and non-territorial behaviours. The main benefit of territoriality is increased access to females, and the costs may accumulate due to e.g., predation, injuries, and/or energy loss due to territorial contests. Moreover, density of both males and females as well as sex-ratio at breeding sites both contribute to the costs and benefits of each tactic. Interspecific aggression by heterospecific males may also influence the profitability of these tactics.
David P Hughes
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199216840
- eISBN:
- 9780191712043
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199216840.003.0010
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Societies of social insects are paragons of communication. Multiple channels exist between different members and the transmitted information ranges from specifying the location of foraging areas to ...
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Societies of social insects are paragons of communication. Multiple channels exist between different members and the transmitted information ranges from specifying the location of foraging areas to who controls reproduction. Whole colonies can also communicate with other colonies or even vertebrates. But what if the individuals within a society are not, in a word, themselves? This chapter explores how adaptive manipulation of host behaviour by parasites, i.e., the extended phenotype of parasites obscures social communication, and it asks how it influences other members of the society. Since manipulated kin are at best cheaters and at worst potential infective agents can the society recognise them? Knowing how a highly complicated example of social communication is broken or subverted by parasites can provide considerable insight into the evolution of communication. The chapter discusses conflict and communication in this system in the context of the debate over the nature of the organism.Less
Societies of social insects are paragons of communication. Multiple channels exist between different members and the transmitted information ranges from specifying the location of foraging areas to who controls reproduction. Whole colonies can also communicate with other colonies or even vertebrates. But what if the individuals within a society are not, in a word, themselves? This chapter explores how adaptive manipulation of host behaviour by parasites, i.e., the extended phenotype of parasites obscures social communication, and it asks how it influences other members of the society. Since manipulated kin are at best cheaters and at worst potential infective agents can the society recognise them? Knowing how a highly complicated example of social communication is broken or subverted by parasites can provide considerable insight into the evolution of communication. The chapter discusses conflict and communication in this system in the context of the debate over the nature of the organism.
Davod R. Nash and Jacobus J. Boomsma
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199216840
- eISBN:
- 9780191712043
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199216840.003.0004
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
All parasites need to evade host defences to be successful. Social parasites, however, face unique challenges and opportunities. Their hosts are particularly well defended against intruders, but ...
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All parasites need to evade host defences to be successful. Social parasites, however, face unique challenges and opportunities. Their hosts are particularly well defended against intruders, but their social communication systems provide an alternative means of exploitation, if social parasites can evolve ways to subvert this system for their own ends. This chapter briefly reviews the range of tactics used by social parasites to exploit their hosts, and the communication channels and strategies used. Detailed analysis is presented of a few key systems that have been particularly well studied (Maculinea butterflies, Microdon flies, and slave-making and inquiline ants). The chapter examines general patterns of how social parasites use communication with their hosts to enhance their success, and the consequences that this has for the coevolutionary interaction between social parasites and their hosts.Less
All parasites need to evade host defences to be successful. Social parasites, however, face unique challenges and opportunities. Their hosts are particularly well defended against intruders, but their social communication systems provide an alternative means of exploitation, if social parasites can evolve ways to subvert this system for their own ends. This chapter briefly reviews the range of tactics used by social parasites to exploit their hosts, and the communication channels and strategies used. Detailed analysis is presented of a few key systems that have been particularly well studied (Maculinea butterflies, Microdon flies, and slave-making and inquiline ants). The chapter examines general patterns of how social parasites use communication with their hosts to enhance their success, and the consequences that this has for the coevolutionary interaction between social parasites and their hosts.
Sharon K. Collinge and Chris Ray (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198567080
- eISBN:
- 9780191717871
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567080.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
Many infectious diseases of recent concern, including malaria, cholera, plague, and Lyme disease, have emerged from complex ecological communities involving multiple hosts and their associated ...
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Many infectious diseases of recent concern, including malaria, cholera, plague, and Lyme disease, have emerged from complex ecological communities involving multiple hosts and their associated parasites. Several of these diseases appear to be influenced by human impacts on the environment, for example intensive agriculture, clear-cut forestry, and habitat loss, and fragmentation. Such environmental impacts may affect many species at trophic levels below or above the host community. Thus, the prevalence of both human and wildlife diseases may alter in unanticipated ways as a result of changes in the structure and composition of ecological communities. This book highlights exciting advances in theoretical and empirical research aimed towards a better understanding of the importance of community structure in the emergence of infectious diseases. To date, research on host-parasite systems has tended to explore only a limited set of community interactions, and little effort has been devoted to addressing complications, such as multiple-host-multiple-parasite systems; sequential hosts acting on different trophic levels; alternate hosts with spatially varying interactions; or stochastic effects resulting from small population size in at least one alternate host species. The chapters in this book illustrate aspects of community ecology that influence pathogen transmission rates and disease dynamics in a wide variety of study systems. It communicates a clear message: studies of epidemiology can be approached from the perspective of community ecology, and students of community ecology can contribute significantly to epidemiology.Less
Many infectious diseases of recent concern, including malaria, cholera, plague, and Lyme disease, have emerged from complex ecological communities involving multiple hosts and their associated parasites. Several of these diseases appear to be influenced by human impacts on the environment, for example intensive agriculture, clear-cut forestry, and habitat loss, and fragmentation. Such environmental impacts may affect many species at trophic levels below or above the host community. Thus, the prevalence of both human and wildlife diseases may alter in unanticipated ways as a result of changes in the structure and composition of ecological communities. This book highlights exciting advances in theoretical and empirical research aimed towards a better understanding of the importance of community structure in the emergence of infectious diseases. To date, research on host-parasite systems has tended to explore only a limited set of community interactions, and little effort has been devoted to addressing complications, such as multiple-host-multiple-parasite systems; sequential hosts acting on different trophic levels; alternate hosts with spatially varying interactions; or stochastic effects resulting from small population size in at least one alternate host species. The chapters in this book illustrate aspects of community ecology that influence pathogen transmission rates and disease dynamics in a wide variety of study systems. It communicates a clear message: studies of epidemiology can be approached from the perspective of community ecology, and students of community ecology can contribute significantly to epidemiology.
William R. Clark
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195336634
- eISBN:
- 9780199868568
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195336634.003.0005
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
This chapter deals with the body's response to disease caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or other microbes. The fundamental response is based on inflammation, which is mediated by the ...
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This chapter deals with the body's response to disease caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or other microbes. The fundamental response is based on inflammation, which is mediated by the evolutionarily oldest elements of the immune system refered to as innate immunity (as opposed to adaptive immunity). Innate immunity is described in detail, and it is shown how it is greatly amplified by cells of the adaptive immune system: T and B cells. The role of dendritic cells and class I MHC molecules is discussed. The chapter also looks more closely at how T cells deal with intracellular invasion by microbes (intracellular parasites).Less
This chapter deals with the body's response to disease caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or other microbes. The fundamental response is based on inflammation, which is mediated by the evolutionarily oldest elements of the immune system refered to as innate immunity (as opposed to adaptive immunity). Innate immunity is described in detail, and it is shown how it is greatly amplified by cells of the adaptive immune system: T and B cells. The role of dendritic cells and class I MHC molecules is discussed. The chapter also looks more closely at how T cells deal with intracellular invasion by microbes (intracellular parasites).
Sharon K. Collinge and Chris Ray
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198567080
- eISBN:
- 9780191717871
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567080.003.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
The purpose of this book is to highlight exciting recent advances in theoretical and empirical research which has been conducted towards a greater understanding of the importance of community ...
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The purpose of this book is to highlight exciting recent advances in theoretical and empirical research which has been conducted towards a greater understanding of the importance of community structure in the emergence of infectious diseases. A brief glossary of commonly used terms in ecology and epidemiology is provided including enzootic, epizootic, infectious disease, pathogen, parasite, reservoir host, and SEIR models. Most chapters in this book relate shifts in disease dynamics to alterations of community structure driven by anthropogenic activities, and most involve ecological field studies of diseases just emerging in the United States, although the focus on emergent diseases and their community ecology is clearly applicable to disease dynamics worldwide.Less
The purpose of this book is to highlight exciting recent advances in theoretical and empirical research which has been conducted towards a greater understanding of the importance of community structure in the emergence of infectious diseases. A brief glossary of commonly used terms in ecology and epidemiology is provided including enzootic, epizootic, infectious disease, pathogen, parasite, reservoir host, and SEIR models. Most chapters in this book relate shifts in disease dynamics to alterations of community structure driven by anthropogenic activities, and most involve ecological field studies of diseases just emerging in the United States, although the focus on emergent diseases and their community ecology is clearly applicable to disease dynamics worldwide.
Robert D. Holt and Andrew P. Dobson
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198567080
- eISBN:
- 9780191717871
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567080.003.0002
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
Most emerging diseases involve more than one host, and many involve complex host-pathogen communities. The epidemiology of host-pathogen communities is explored through the analysis of ‘community ...
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Most emerging diseases involve more than one host, and many involve complex host-pathogen communities. The epidemiology of host-pathogen communities is explored through the analysis of ‘community modules’ or small sets of interacting species. Relevant community modules include parasite chains and multiple parasite species are linked through competition for shared hosts. The authors analyze pathogen transmission dynamics in several types of community module; review mechanisms for parasite coexistence; and develop a series of simple models to elucidate these mechanisms. Their models and analyses provide a conceptual foundation and introduction to analytical tools that can be applied to many host-pathogen systems. One straightforward tool developed is isocline analysis, which allows for a qualitative description of the conditions required for the invasion of one or more parasite species given a fixed host density. Additional analyses involve the consideration of the ratio of inter- to intra-specific interactions, and its effect on host and parasite coexistence.Less
Most emerging diseases involve more than one host, and many involve complex host-pathogen communities. The epidemiology of host-pathogen communities is explored through the analysis of ‘community modules’ or small sets of interacting species. Relevant community modules include parasite chains and multiple parasite species are linked through competition for shared hosts. The authors analyze pathogen transmission dynamics in several types of community module; review mechanisms for parasite coexistence; and develop a series of simple models to elucidate these mechanisms. Their models and analyses provide a conceptual foundation and introduction to analytical tools that can be applied to many host-pathogen systems. One straightforward tool developed is isocline analysis, which allows for a qualitative description of the conditions required for the invasion of one or more parasite species given a fixed host density. Additional analyses involve the consideration of the ratio of inter- to intra-specific interactions, and its effect on host and parasite coexistence.
Kathryn L. Cottingham and Julia M. Butzler
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198567080
- eISBN:
- 9780191717871
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567080.003.0008
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
Vibrio cholerae, the causal agent of cholera, is a heterotrophic bacterium found in aquatic environments around the world. Although understanding the ecology of V. cholerae is ...
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Vibrio cholerae, the causal agent of cholera, is a heterotrophic bacterium found in aquatic environments around the world. Although understanding the ecology of V. cholerae is still in its infancy, community interactions likely play a key role in determining its abundance and disease outbreaks. For example, V. cholerae occurs both in a free-living state and when attached to phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic invertebrates. Parasitic or mutualistic interactions with host organisms influence bacterial survival in adverse conditions and have major effects on transmission to humans. Abundances can also be altered directly via interactions with predators and competitors, or indirectly if higher trophic levels alter the density or composition of predators or potential hosts for attachment. Thus, this system illustrates the importance of both direct and indirect biotic interactions for disease dynamics.Less
Vibrio cholerae, the causal agent of cholera, is a heterotrophic bacterium found in aquatic environments around the world. Although understanding the ecology of V. cholerae is still in its infancy, community interactions likely play a key role in determining its abundance and disease outbreaks. For example, V. cholerae occurs both in a free-living state and when attached to phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic invertebrates. Parasitic or mutualistic interactions with host organisms influence bacterial survival in adverse conditions and have major effects on transmission to humans. Abundances can also be altered directly via interactions with predators and competitors, or indirectly if higher trophic levels alter the density or composition of predators or potential hosts for attachment. Thus, this system illustrates the importance of both direct and indirect biotic interactions for disease dynamics.
Sam P. Brown, Jean-Baptiste André, Jean-Baptiste Ferdy, and Bernard Godelle
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198529873
- eISBN:
- 9780191712777
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198529873.003.0010
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
This chapter argues that parasite-induced changes in host phenotypes can have a dramatic impact on the community structure of their free-living hosts. It begins with a review of host-manipulation ...
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This chapter argues that parasite-induced changes in host phenotypes can have a dramatic impact on the community structure of their free-living hosts. It begins with a review of host-manipulation literature, illustrating how parasites can modify their host phenotypes in dramatic ways. It then considers two generic examples of host manipulation: parasite-induced susceptibility to predation (PISP) and parasite-induced castration (PIC), and develops simple population-dynamical models of the consequences of PISP and PIC on communities (host plus two predators for PISP, host plus competitor for PIC). Finally, the chapter highlights how the simple model results are likely to have parallels in a range of empirical systems, offering an agenda for future theoretical and empirical research.Less
This chapter argues that parasite-induced changes in host phenotypes can have a dramatic impact on the community structure of their free-living hosts. It begins with a review of host-manipulation literature, illustrating how parasites can modify their host phenotypes in dramatic ways. It then considers two generic examples of host manipulation: parasite-induced susceptibility to predation (PISP) and parasite-induced castration (PIC), and develops simple population-dynamical models of the consequences of PISP and PIC on communities (host plus two predators for PISP, host plus competitor for PIC). Finally, the chapter highlights how the simple model results are likely to have parallels in a range of empirical systems, offering an agenda for future theoretical and empirical research.
J. Emmett Duffy and Martin Thiel
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195179927
- eISBN:
- 9780199790111
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195179927.003.0021
- Subject:
- Biology, Aquatic Biology
The Crustacea represents one of the major branches in the tree of animal life, displaying diversity in form and lifestyle that rival those of the vertebrates and insects. But perhaps because of the ...
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The Crustacea represents one of the major branches in the tree of animal life, displaying diversity in form and lifestyle that rival those of the vertebrates and insects. But perhaps because of the primarily aquatic habits of crustaceans, they have received much less attention in evolutionary ecology than mostly terrestrial taxa. The chapters in this book make clear the richness of adaptations of crustaceans to social and sexual life, and their still largely untapped potential to test fundamental theory in behavioral ecology and evolution. Kinship, cooperation, and conflict play an important role in social evolution, modulated by extrinsic factors (resource competition, predation or parasitism), some of which have only recently begun to be studied. There are rich opportunities awaiting the student willing to pursue them, both in clarifying the social and sexual biology of individual crustacean species and in exploiting the Crustacea in broad comparative approaches to testing evolutionary theory.Less
The Crustacea represents one of the major branches in the tree of animal life, displaying diversity in form and lifestyle that rival those of the vertebrates and insects. But perhaps because of the primarily aquatic habits of crustaceans, they have received much less attention in evolutionary ecology than mostly terrestrial taxa. The chapters in this book make clear the richness of adaptations of crustaceans to social and sexual life, and their still largely untapped potential to test fundamental theory in behavioral ecology and evolution. Kinship, cooperation, and conflict play an important role in social evolution, modulated by extrinsic factors (resource competition, predation or parasitism), some of which have only recently begun to be studied. There are rich opportunities awaiting the student willing to pursue them, both in clarifying the social and sexual biology of individual crustacean species and in exploiting the Crustacea in broad comparative approaches to testing evolutionary theory.
David M. Wilkinson
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198568469
- eISBN:
- 9780191717611
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198568469.003.0003
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
The problems faced by a hypothetical planet with only one species strongly suggest that any functioning ecological system must have organisms from at least two major ecological guilds: autotrophs and ...
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The problems faced by a hypothetical planet with only one species strongly suggest that any functioning ecological system must have organisms from at least two major ecological guilds: autotrophs and decomposers. While conventional predators do not seem to be crucial to planetary ecologies it is likely that parasites will quickly evolve, and through density dependent processes help to regulate population sizes. Density dependence may be crucial in preventing the runaway population growth of a species, leading to it monopolizing a planet's ecology. While density independent processes (be they a cold winter on a local scale, or the impact of a large meteorite at the planetary scale) can greatly affect abundance, they cannot provide regulation; this requires the ‘thermostat’ like behaviour of density dependence. As such, both multiple guilds and the presence of parasites are likely to have positive Gaian effects in most biospheres.Less
The problems faced by a hypothetical planet with only one species strongly suggest that any functioning ecological system must have organisms from at least two major ecological guilds: autotrophs and decomposers. While conventional predators do not seem to be crucial to planetary ecologies it is likely that parasites will quickly evolve, and through density dependent processes help to regulate population sizes. Density dependence may be crucial in preventing the runaway population growth of a species, leading to it monopolizing a planet's ecology. While density independent processes (be they a cold winter on a local scale, or the impact of a large meteorite at the planetary scale) can greatly affect abundance, they cannot provide regulation; this requires the ‘thermostat’ like behaviour of density dependence. As such, both multiple guilds and the presence of parasites are likely to have positive Gaian effects in most biospheres.
Vernon Reynolds
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198515463
- eISBN:
- 9780191705656
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198515463.003.0004
- Subject:
- Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
Studies of intestinal parasites show that the Budongo chimpanzees live with numerous gut nematodes which they tolerate well. Self-medication is achieved by swallowing the leaves of Aneilema ...
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Studies of intestinal parasites show that the Budongo chimpanzees live with numerous gut nematodes which they tolerate well. Self-medication is achieved by swallowing the leaves of Aneilema aequinoctiale, which are encountered along trails in the forest. These leaves have hooked trichomes, which physically remove worms from the gut wall. In addition, chimpanzees eat termite soil for medicinal purposes. Deaths are described together with a necropsy report (in Appendix D). The danger of transmission of human diseases to chimpanzees is constant.Less
Studies of intestinal parasites show that the Budongo chimpanzees live with numerous gut nematodes which they tolerate well. Self-medication is achieved by swallowing the leaves of Aneilema aequinoctiale, which are encountered along trails in the forest. These leaves have hooked trichomes, which physically remove worms from the gut wall. In addition, chimpanzees eat termite soil for medicinal purposes. Deaths are described together with a necropsy report (in Appendix D). The danger of transmission of human diseases to chimpanzees is constant.
Joshua S. Weitz
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691161549
- eISBN:
- 9781400873968
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691161549.003.0007
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
This chapter introduces a series of dynamic models for exploring the mechanisms underlying the emergent features of complex ecosystems. Models of complex food webs including viral parasites reflect ...
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This chapter introduces a series of dynamic models for exploring the mechanisms underlying the emergent features of complex ecosystems. Models of complex food webs including viral parasites reflect innovations in the study of basic interactions as well as the quantitative estimation of life history traits. These models can be used to investigate the variation in the effect of viruses on ecological processes, given three key features: (i) complex multistrain and multispecies communities, (ii) nutrient regeneration via viral lysis of hosts, and (iii) competition between zooplankton and viruses for hosts. Models predict that when viruses regenerate nutrients, both resources and viruses will increase in concentration. When viruses are included in ecosystem models they are found to stimulate ecosystem-level functioning despite having negative effects on target hosts. Few models combine virus–host interactions with a consideration of complex nutrient and trophic dynamics; therefore, a synthesis remains incomplete and should be the subject of ongoing work.Less
This chapter introduces a series of dynamic models for exploring the mechanisms underlying the emergent features of complex ecosystems. Models of complex food webs including viral parasites reflect innovations in the study of basic interactions as well as the quantitative estimation of life history traits. These models can be used to investigate the variation in the effect of viruses on ecological processes, given three key features: (i) complex multistrain and multispecies communities, (ii) nutrient regeneration via viral lysis of hosts, and (iii) competition between zooplankton and viruses for hosts. Models predict that when viruses regenerate nutrients, both resources and viruses will increase in concentration. When viruses are included in ecosystem models they are found to stimulate ecosystem-level functioning despite having negative effects on target hosts. Few models combine virus–host interactions with a consideration of complex nutrient and trophic dynamics; therefore, a synthesis remains incomplete and should be the subject of ongoing work.
Leslie A. Real and James E. Childs
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198567080
- eISBN:
- 9780191717871
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567080.003.0012
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
As new species invade novel geographic regions, they have the propensity to reorganize multi-species community interactions. The expansion of the rabies virus in Europe and across the eastern United ...
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As new species invade novel geographic regions, they have the propensity to reorganize multi-species community interactions. The expansion of the rabies virus in Europe and across the eastern United States provides a model system for comparing the linkage between community dynamics and the spatio-temporal dynamics of an invading parasite and its hosts. The European rabies epizootic has been largely restricted to a single terrestrial carnivore host — the red fox — while the US rabies epizootic has involved multiple terrestrial carnivore hosts including raccoons, foxes, skunks, coyotes, and domestic animals. This chapter reviews mathematical models that predict the spatio-temporal patterns of rabies occurring in different reservoir hosts, and explores the implications of the geographic range expansion of the rabies virus within a specific host — the raccoon — on host-shift and spill-over dynamics among alternate hosts.Less
As new species invade novel geographic regions, they have the propensity to reorganize multi-species community interactions. The expansion of the rabies virus in Europe and across the eastern United States provides a model system for comparing the linkage between community dynamics and the spatio-temporal dynamics of an invading parasite and its hosts. The European rabies epizootic has been largely restricted to a single terrestrial carnivore host — the red fox — while the US rabies epizootic has involved multiple terrestrial carnivore hosts including raccoons, foxes, skunks, coyotes, and domestic animals. This chapter reviews mathematical models that predict the spatio-temporal patterns of rabies occurring in different reservoir hosts, and explores the implications of the geographic range expansion of the rabies virus within a specific host — the raccoon — on host-shift and spill-over dynamics among alternate hosts.
