A unifying framework for the transient parasite dynamics of migratory hosts.

ABSTRACT: Migrations allow animals to track seasonal changes in resources, find mates, and avoid harsh climates, but these regular, long-distance movements also have implications for parasite dynamics and animal health. Migratory animals have been dubbed "superspreaders" of infection, but migration can also reduce parasite burdens within host populations via migratory escape from contaminated habitats and transmission hotspots, migratory recovery due to parasite mortality, and migratory culling of infected individuals. Here, we show that a single migratory host-macroparasite model can give rise to these different phenomena under different parametrizations, providing a unifying framework for a mechanistic understanding of the parasite dynamics of migratory animals. Importantly, our model includes the

SUBMITTER: Peacock SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7245128 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature