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Competition and mutualism among the gut helminths of a mammalian host

Author

Listed:
  • Joanne Lello

    (F.D. McMaster Laboratories)

  • Brian Boag

    (Perth & Kinross)

  • Andrew Fenton

    (Institute of Zoology, ZSL)

  • Ian R. Stevenson

    (University of Stirling)

  • Peter J. Hudson

    (Penn State University)

Abstract

Most animal species are infected with multiple parasite species; however, the role of interspecific parasite interactions in influencing parasite dynamics and shaping parasite communities has been unclear. Although laboratory studies have found evidence of cross-immunity, immunosuppression and competition1,2,3,4,5,6, analyses of hosts in the field have generally concluded that parasite communities are little more than random assemblages7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14. Here we present evidence of consistent interspecific interactions in a natural mammalian system, revealed through the analysis of parasite intensity data collected from a free-ranging rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) population, sampled monthly for a period of 23 yr. The wild rabbit plays host to a diverse gut helminth community15,16,17 that reflects the communities seen in other economically important domestic herbivores18,19. These findings suggest that parasite interactions could have profound implications for the dynamics of parasite communities. The efficacy of parasite control programmes could be jeopardized if such interactions are not taken into account. In contrast, a clear understanding of such interactions may provide the basis for the development of more environmentally acceptable methods of parasite control.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanne Lello & Brian Boag & Andrew Fenton & Ian R. Stevenson & Peter J. Hudson, 2004. "Competition and mutualism among the gut helminths of a mammalian host," Nature, Nature, vol. 428(6985), pages 840-844, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:428:y:2004:i:6985:d:10.1038_nature02490
    DOI: 10.1038/nature02490
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    Cited by:

    1. Eléonore Hellard & Dominique Pontier & Frank Sauvage & Hervé Poulet & David Fouchet, 2012. "True versus False Parasite Interactions: A Robust Method to Take Risk Factors into Account and Its Application to Feline Viruses," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, January.
    2. Rose E Donohue & Zoë K Cross & Edwin Michael, 2019. "The extent, nature, and pathogenic consequences of helminth polyparasitism in humans: A meta-analysis," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-41, June.
    3. Adam D Hayward & Daniel H Nussey & Alastair J Wilson & Camillo Berenos & Jill G Pilkington & Kathryn A Watt & Josephine M Pemberton & Andrea L Graham, 2014. "Natural Selection on Individual Variation in Tolerance of Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection," PLOS Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(7), pages 1-13, July.

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