A field test of the dilution effect hypothesis in four avian multi-host pathogens.

ABSTRACT: The Dilution Effect Hypothesis (DEH) argues that greater biodiversity lowers the risk of disease and reduces the rates of pathogen transmission since more diverse communities harbour fewer competent hosts for any given pathogen, thereby reducing host exposure to the pathogen. DEH is expected to operate most intensely in vector-borne pathogens and when species-rich communities are not associated with increased host density. Overall, dilution will occur if greater species diversity leads to a lower contact rate between infected vectors and susceptible hosts, and between infected hosts and susceptible vectors. Field-based tests simultaneously analysing the prevalence of several multi-host pathogens in relation to host and vector diversity are required to validate DEH. We tested the relationsh

SUBMITTER: Ferraguti M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8221496 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature