Predicting host range expansion in parasitic mites using a global mammalian-acarine dataset.

ABSTRACT: Multi-host parasites pose greater health risks to wildlife, livestock, and humans than single-host parasites, yet our understanding of how ecological and biological factors influence a parasite's host range remains limited. Here, we assemble the largest and most complete dataset on permanently parasitic mammalian mites and build a predictive model assessing the probability of single-host parasites to become multi-hosts, while accounting for potentially unobserved host-parasite links and class imbalance. This model identifies statistically significant predictors related to parasites, hosts, climate, and habitat disturbance. The most important predictors include the parasite's contact level with the host immune system and two variables characterizing host phylogenetic similarity and spatial

SUBMITTER: Klimov PB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11208579 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature