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    Area of Science:

    • Ecology
    • Microbiology
    • Animal Behavior

    Background:

    • Microbial infections in multicellular hosts can have subtle yet significant impacts.
    • Gerbillus andersoni allenbyi commonly harbor Mycoplasma haemomuris-like bacteria, potentially causing nutrient deficiencies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the ecological consequences of Mycoplasma haemomuris-like bacteria infection in gerbils.
    • To test the nutrient compensation hypothesis versus the lethargy hypothesis regarding infection effects on foraging and risk management.

    Main Methods:

    • Experimentally infected gerbils with Mycoplasma haemomuris-like bacteria.
    • Compared foraging and risk management behaviors of noninfected, acutely infected, and chronically infected gerbils.

    Main Results:

    • Findings supported the lethargy hypothesis; infected gerbils exhibited higher foraging costs, reduced vigilance, and increased predation risk.
    • Chronically infected gerbils incurred greater ecological costs than acutely infected individuals, indicating a gradual decline in function.

    Conclusions:

    • Mycoplasma haemomuris-like bacteria infection imposes substantial indirect ecological costs on gerbils, exceeding direct physiological costs.
    • Infection gradually debilitates gerbils, progressively diminishing their ability to forage and manage risks effectively.