Influencing random transmission is a neutral character in hosts
Authored by L Rozsa
Date Published: 1999
DOI: 10.2307/3285664
Sponsors:
Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Platforms:
QBasic
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
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Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
This study introduces an individual-based model on a host-parasite
assemblage to investigate whether hosts are necessarily selected for
obstructing the transmission of virulent parasites to conspecifics.
Contrary to the widespread notion, a host's ability to influence
parasite transmission within the host population is a neutral character
provided that parasite transmission routes are random, with no reference
to genetic relatedness. Due to a lack of selection pressure under such
circumstances, hosts may fail to evolve counteradaptations against
manipulations by parasites to enhance transmission. However, vertically
biased transmission (biased toward kin) selects hosts for a decrease of
parasite transmission, while it is also known to select parasites to
decrease virulence. Horizontally biased transmission routes (biased
toward nonrelated conspecifics) select hosts to increase parasite
transmission. In this case, their interests coincide with that of their
virulent parasites in enhancing transmission to conspecifics. This
finding yields the predictions that hosts infected by virulent
pathogens, but unable to recover from disease, should be prone to
emigrate from their natal territories and also to enhance transmission
at a distance from their natal ranges. These results may considerably
improve our understanding of the epidemiology of contagious pathogens
and the evolution of social and sexual behavior in host species.
Tags
Evolution
behavior
ecology
Model
Animals
Parasites
Spiteful