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The ecology of host-finding behaviour and parasite transmission: past and future perspectives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 April 2017

J. G. Rea  and
S. W. B. Irwin
J. G. Rea
Affiliation:
Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster at Jordanstoivn, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT37 OQB, N. Ireland
S. W. B. Irwin
Affiliation:
Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster at Jordanstoivn, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT37 OQB, N. Ireland
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Summary

Host location by parasites can be achieved by either active or passive mechanisms. In spite of their significance, the efficacy of these methods has been little researched. High fecundity in parasites is discussed in terms of the role it plays in dispersal and transmission. Some concepts developed by mainstream behavioural ecologists are outlined and their relevance to parasitology is indicated. ‘Reproductive value’ is recommended as an appropriate measure of the costs and benefits of behavioural acts. Although costs of reproduction have been rarely studied in parasites, they are likely to occur in cosexual insects, nematodes and crustaceans. Experiments using captive hosts and/or in vitro cultivation could help in the construction of realistic optimality models. We suggest that r- and K-selection theory could assist in the study of the evolution of parasite behaviour. We discuss how parasite populations are dispersed and controlled and consider the implications of overdispersion. WTe outline three sources of signals to which parasites may respond and suggest that understanding evolutionary mechanisms and community organisation of parasites and hosts requires evaluation of fundamental behavioural responses to environmental signals. The study of closely related groups of parasites and their hosts may advance our knowledge of the evolution of parasite life cycles and the evolutionary costs and benefits of behavioural acts.

Keywords

Ecologybehaviourfecunditytransmissionr /K strategieshost location
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 109 , supplement S1: Parasites and behaviour , 1994 , pp. S31 - S39
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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