Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
07:56
Generation of a Bovine Primary Enteroid-Derived Two-Dimensional Monolayer Culture System for Applications in Translational Biomedical Research
Published on: April 5, 2024
Host and parasite diversity jointly control disease risk in complex communities
Pieter T J Johnson1, Daniel L Preston, Jason T Hoverman
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309.
Summary
Increased host and parasite diversity can reduce disease transmission. This study found that higher species richness in amphibian hosts and coinfecting parasites lowered Ribeiroia ondatrae trematode infections, especially in less diverse communities.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Parasitology
- Disease Ecology
Background:
- Host-parasite interactions occur within complex ecological communities.
- The relationship between biodiversity and disease risk is of growing interest but requires further investigation into the roles of host and parasite diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how amphibian host diversity and parasite species richness jointly affect the transmission of the trematode Ribeiroia ondatrae.
- To test the hypothesis that increased diversity in both hosts and parasites can modulate disease risk.
Main Methods:
- Field surveys in natural wetlands to assess host and parasite species richness.
- Mechanistic laboratory and outdoor experiments to isolate the effects of host and parasite diversity on Ribeiroia transmission.
- Quantification of Ribeiroia infection prevalence and intensity in relation to varying diversity levels.
Main Results:
- In natural settings, host and parasite species richness correlated positively.
- Interspecific interactions between host and parasite richness negatively impacted Ribeiroia transmission, particularly in species-poor assemblages.
- Experimental increases in host richness reduced Ribeiroia infections (11-65%) and overall infections by other parasites (∼40%).
- Increased parasite richness further reduced Ribeiroia infection (15-20%), potentially due to intrahost competition.
Conclusions:
- Parasitic and free-living diversity jointly regulate disease risk.
- Findings help reconcile conflicting results in diversity-disease relationship studies.
- Integrating research on coinfection and host heterogeneity is crucial for a community ecology-based approach to infectious diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Microbial Interactions: Parasitism
Parasitism is a form of microbial interaction in which parasitic microbes exploit a host organism for nutrients and shelter, often at the host's expense. Unlike mutualistic relationships, where both organisms benefit, parasitism benefits only the parasite and harms the host.Classification of ParasitesMicrobial parasites are broadly classified based on their location relative to the host.Ectoparasites remain on the host’s surface, such as the skin or outer tissues, drawing nutrients...
01:27Diversity of Protists II
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
00:58Symbiosis
Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...
01:26Microbial Interactions: Cooperation
Microbial cooperation involves beneficial interactions in which different species work together for individual or mutual advantage. These interactions can profoundly influence ecological dynamics and evolutionary processes, and they are essential to many pathogenic and symbiotic relationships.Nematode–Bacteria CooperationA striking example is the relationship between the Gram-negative bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila and the parasitic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. Juvenile nematodes...
01:25Colonisation of Pathogens
Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
01:27Diversity of Protists IV
Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...