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Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages
Published on: May 30, 2019
Multidimensionality in parasite-induced phenotypic alterations: ultimate versus proximate aspects
Frank Cézilly1, Adrien Favrat, Marie-Jeanne Perrot-Minnot
1Université de Bourgogne, Equipe Ecologie Evolutive, UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences, Université de Bourgogne, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France. frank.cezilly@u-bourgogne.fr
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Parasites often change multiple host traits simultaneously. This review addresses challenges in defining, measuring, and interpreting these complex parasite-induced phenotypic alterations (PIPAs), offering future research guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Parasitology
- Phenotypic plasticity
Background:
- Parasites frequently induce changes in multiple host traits, a phenomenon known as multidimensionality in parasite-induced phenotypic alterations (PIPAs).
- Despite its prevalence, the multidimensional nature of PIPAs has only recently become a focus of scientific inquiry.
- Understanding these complex interactions is crucial for comprehending host-parasite coevolutionary dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review the challenges in defining, quantifying, and interpreting multidimensional PIPAs.
- To evaluate the limitations of both ultimate and proximate explanations for multidimensionality in PIPAs.
- To propose future research directions and practical guidelines for analyzing multidimensional PIPAs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and critical analysis of existing studies on parasite-induced phenotypic alterations.
- Confrontation of ultimate (evolutionary) and proximate (mechanistic) perspectives on multidimensional PIPAs.
- Synthesis of current knowledge and identification of research gaps.
Main Results:
- Multidimensionality in PIPAs is common but poses significant definitional and quantification challenges.
- Both ultimate and proximate accounts have limitations in fully explaining the complexity of multidimensional PIPAs.
- Current research approaches may not adequately capture the integrated nature of these alterations.
Conclusions:
- Standardized definitions and robust quantitative methods are needed for studying multidimensional PIPAs.
- Integrating ultimate and proximate approaches will provide a more comprehensive understanding of host-parasite interactions.
- Future research should focus on developing and applying advanced analytical techniques to explore the full scope of multidimensional PIPAs.
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