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Interactions between micro- and macroparasites predict microparasite species richness across primates
Charles L Nunn1, Carrie Brezine, Anna E Jolles
1Department of Evolutionary Anthropology and the Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708.
The American Naturalist
|March 20, 2014
Summary
Higher helminth prevalence in primate species correlates with increased richness of intracellular microparasites. This suggests intra-host parasite interactions significantly influence parasite diversity across species.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Parasitology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Wild animals often face multiple infections simultaneously.
- Immune responses to one parasite can increase susceptibility to others.
- Understanding inter-parasite interactions is crucial for host health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the macro-micro facilitation hypothesis.
- To determine if higher helminth prevalence facilitates intracellular parasite invasion.
- To explore comparative patterns of parasite richness in primates.
Main Methods:
- Collected data on helminth prevalence for 70 primate species.
- Gathered data on intracellular and extracellular parasite richness.
- Employed Bayesian phylogenetic methods to analyze relationships.
Main Results:
- Primate species with higher helminth prevalence had greater intracellular microparasite richness.
- The association between helminth prevalence and extracellular microparasite richness was weaker.
- Findings held after controlling for confounding variables.
Conclusions:
- Intrahost parasite interactions are significant drivers of parasite richness.
- Helminth prevalence impacts intracellular parasite diversity in primates.
- Parasite interactions may be as important as host ecology in shaping parasite richness.
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