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Stabilizing factors interact in promoting host-parasite coexistence.

Thomas Flatt1, I István Scheuring

  • 1Department of Biology, Unit of Ecology and Evolution, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland. thomas.flatt@unifr.ch

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|April 20, 2004
PubMed
Summary

A low frequency of sex, which generates genetic variation, is key for host-parasite coexistence. However, this interaction is influenced by host carrying capacity and density dependence, highlighting the importance of combined ecological factors.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Ecology
  • Population Dynamics
  • Host-Parasite Interactions

Background:

  • Species coexistence is a central question in evolutionary ecology.
  • Factors influencing coexistence include environmental noise, spatial structure, density dependence, and genetic variation.
  • These factors often interact, necessitating simultaneous analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the combined effects of density dependence, genetic variation, and frequency of sex on host-parasite coexistence.
  • To disentangle the contributions of these factors using mathematical models.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Nicholson-Bailey models, both with and without host density dependence.
  • Examined Ricker-type density dependence, incorporating genetic variation and frequency of sex.

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  • Assessed the robustness of findings with alternative density-dependent models and environmental stochasticity.

    • Main Results:

    • A low frequency of sex, leading to increased genetic variation, was the most significant factor promoting host-parasite coexistence.
    • The interaction between carrying capacity (K) and frequency of sex critically affected coexistence.
    • Strong density regulation (low K) facilitated coexistence regardless of sex frequency, while weak regulation (high K) benefited from low sex frequencies.

    Conclusions:

    • Coexistence among species is strongly dependent on the interplay of multiple stabilizing factors.
    • The frequency of sex and host density dependence interact to influence host-parasite stability.
    • Findings underscore the complexity of ecological interactions in maintaining biodiversity.