Individual variation underlies large-scale patterns: Host conditions and behavior affect parasitism.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Vector-borne disease research
• Zoonotic disease dynamics

Background:

• Understanding host-parasite interactions is crucial for vector-borne disease ecology.
• Individual host characteristics can influence parasitism rates, but links are often hard to identify due to spatial and temporal variations in zoonoses.
• The white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) is a keystone species for studying these dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationships between individual host condition, behavior, and Ixodid tick parasitism in white-footed mice.
• To determine how host characteristics and behavior affect tick acquisition rates.
• To understand the implications for zoonotic disease risk.

Main Methods:

• Utilized seven years of data from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON).
• Examined parasitism by Ixodid ticks in Peromyscus leucopus.
• Analyzed correlations between host condition (sex, body mass, reproductive status) and behavior (movement) with tick load.

Main Results:

• Individual host condition (sex, body mass, reproductive status) directly and indirectly affected tick parasitism.
• The impact of host condition on parasitism differed between larval and nymphal ticks.
• Increased host movement behavior was directly associated with a higher likelihood of carrying ticks.

Conclusions:

• Intraspecific variation in host condition and behavior significantly influences host-parasite encounters.
• Host movement ecology plays a key role in determining tick parasitism rates.
• These findings have implications for predicting zoonotic disease risk, especially under changing environmental conditions affecting host behavior.