Host-Parasite Interactions and Ecological Dynamics
Summary
Host-parasite interactions are fundamental drivers of ecological dynamics, exerting influence at individual, population and ecosystem levels. Parasites, ranging from viruses and bacteria to helminths and arthropods, engage in complex relationships that can regulate host behaviour, physiology and movement. These interactions generate both consumptive effects, through direct morbidity and mortality, and non-consumptive effects, through altered host traits such as foraging patterns and dispersal. Trait-mediated indirect effects propagate through food webs and affect community structure and energy flow, while parasite avoidance behaviours may reshape habitat use and interspecific interactions. Emerging evidence highlights the role of parasites in shaping ecosystem engineering processes—such as filtration by bivalves—and in altering epidemiological and evolutionary trajectories. Integrating mechanistic insights into behaviour and immune function with landscape-level studies enhances our understanding of host mobility, disease spread and ecosystem resilience under global change pressures, including climate warming and habitat fragmentation.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies have shown that ectoparasites can actively suppress host exploration and dispersal by modulating neural and immunological pathways. Research on small mammals indicates that infestation triggers microglial activation in key brain regions, leading to synaptic remodelling and reduced exploratory drive. This behavioural modification confines hosts to limited ranges, thereby reducing their susceptibility to environmental hazards and boosting parasite persistence. Findings underscore the significance of the skin–brain axis in host manipulation and suggest novel targets for controlling parasite transmission and maintaining ecological stability.
Host-Parasite Interactions and Ecological Dynamics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in host-parasite interactions and ecological dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Host dispersal: Movement of infected or susceptible hosts across a landscape, influencing gene flow and parasite transmission.
Non-consumptive effects (NCEs): Indirect impacts of parasites on host traits, such as behaviour or physiology, without direct consumption.
Landscape of disgust: Spatial configuration of avoidance behaviours adopted by hosts to minimise contact with infective stages.
Ecosystem engineer: Organism that substantially alters resource availability or habitat structure through its activities.
References
- Ectoparasites enhance survival by suppressing host exploration and limiting dispersal. Nature Communications (2025).
- Disgust in animals and the application of disease avoidance to wildlife management and conservation. Journal of Animal Ecology (2023).
- Mussel memory: can bivalves learn to fear parasites?. Royal Society Open Science (2022).
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