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When can multiple parasites with complex life cycles coexist under conflicts of host manipulation?
Chih-Wei Wang1, Hsuan-Wien Chen2, Takuya Sato3
1Department of Economics, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan.
International Journal for Parasitology
|September 4, 2025
Summary
Parasites with complex life cycles can coexist by manipulating hosts, even when facing predation and competition. Specific conditions allow these host-manipulating parasites to overcome competitive exclusion and maintain biodiversity.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Parasite diversity is crucial for ecosystem function but poorly understood.
- Complex parasite life cycles involve host manipulation for transmission between hosts.
- Multiple parasites sharing a host face conflicts in manipulation strategies, including "dead-ends" and intra-parasite interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how host-manipulating parasites compete and coexist.
- To explore the impact of host manipulation conflicts on parasite diversity.
- To model the population dynamics of competing parasites with complex life cycles.
Main Methods:
- Developed a mathematical model of population dynamics.
- Included two parasites, one intermediate host, and two definitive hosts.
- Analyzed conditions for parasite coexistence and community stability.
Main Results:
- Parasite coexistence is possible despite the competitive exclusion principle.
- Three key conditions promote coexistence: "dead-end" susceptibility, differential predation effects in co-infected hosts, and limited community fluctuations.
- Alternative community states and potential regime shifts were identified.
Conclusions:
- Host manipulation can facilitate parasite coexistence and maintain biodiversity.
- Understanding these mechanisms is vital for predicting parasite community dynamics.
- Findings highlight the fragility of parasite diversity and suggest avenues for future research.
Keywords:
Co-infectionComplex life cycleConflict of interestDead-end predationExploitative competitionHost manipulationParasite diversitySabotageMore Related Videos
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