For Host's Sake: The Pluses of Parasite Preservation. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spencer, Hamish G.; Zuk, Marlene
• Is Part Of: Trends in ecology & evolution. Volume 31:Number 5(2016)
• Page Start: 341
• Page End: 343
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: hygiene hypothesis -- disease -- immune system -- conservation management; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; 576.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2016.02.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-5347

Abstract

Abstract : Conservation biologists now realize that parasites of endangered hosts should be conserved for their own sake and as part of their host's natural environment. But parasites should also be conserved because parasitic exposure might be crucial to the host's development of a fully functional immune system and hence to the survival of the host.