Behavioral competence: how host behaviors can interact to influence parasite transmission risk. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barron, DG; Gervasi, SS; Pruitt, JN; Martin, LB
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in behavioral sciences. Volume 6(2015)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.08.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-1546

Abstract

Highlights: Behavioral defenses decrease risk of contracting and spreading parasites. The cumulative expression of multiple anti-parasite behaviors determines risk. Behavioral profiles can be plastic with regard to environment or infection status. Behavioral and immunological systems are tightly linked. Abstract : Hosts vary in their ability to transmit new parasite infections (i.e. competence). Although behavior is suggested as a source of individual-level variation, the contribution of host behavior to host–parasite dynamics at the population-level remains largely enigmatic. Here we advocate that behavioral competence be characterized as a syndrome of behaviors that interact to directly or indirectly influence transmission potential. These behaviors can be plastic in response to environmental conditions and/or infection state, and appear linked to immunological traits through shared physiological regulation. By integrating behavioral variation and covariation into a whole-organism view of host competence, disease ecologists might more realistically characterize an individual's role in host–parasite systems.