Macroimmunology: The drivers and consequences of spatial patterns in wildlife immune defence.

ABSTRACT: The prevalence and intensity of parasites in wild hosts varies across space and is a key determinant of infection risk in humans, domestic animals and threatened wildlife. Because the immune system serves as the primary barrier to infection, replication and transmission following exposure, we here consider the environmental drivers of immunity. Spatial variation in parasite pressure, abiotic and biotic conditions, and anthropogenic factors can all shape immunity across spatial scales. Identifying the most important spatial drivers of immunity could help pre-empt infectious disease risks, especially in the context of how large-scale factors such as urbanization affect defence by changing environmental conditions. We provide a synthesis of how to apply macroecological approaches to the study

SUBMITTER: Becker DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7138727 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature