Disease and the extended phenotype: parasites control host performance and survival through induced changes in body plan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

By definition, parasites harm their hosts. However, some forms of parasite-induced alterations increase parasite transmission between hosts, such that manipulated hosts can be considered extensions of the parasite's phenotype. While well accepted in principle, surprisingly few studies have quantified how parasite manipulations alter host performance and survival under field and laboratory conditions.

Methodology/principal findings

By interfering with limb development, the trematode Ribeiroia ondatrae causes particularly severe morphological alterations within amphibian hosts that provide an ideal system to evaluate parasite-induced changes in phenotype. Here, we coupled laboratory performance trials with a capture-mark-recapture study of 1388 Pacific chorus frogs

SUBMITTER: Goodman BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3102088 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature