Boom-Bust Cycles Constrain Host-Parasite Dynamics, Suppress Parasite Spread, and Drive Parasites Extinct.

ABSTRACT: AbstractHost-parasite theory is rooted in equilibrium dynamics. However, many host species exhibit "boom-bust" life histories or range expansions characterized by population booms and severe bottlenecks. The dynamic host density in boom-bust systems may disrupt the interactions between density-dependent processes such as parasite transmission and birth, resulting in unique dynamics compared with a host population at equilibrium. We subjected a simple compartment model to recurring host bottlenecks to approximate a boom-bust life history. We found that recurring bottlenecks suppressed disease spread by giving the host population an opportunity postbottleneck to expand faster than the disease could spread. As bottlenecks became more frequent and/or severe, disease spread was suppressed to su

SUBMITTER: Bubrig LT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12360478 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature