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Density dependence and the control of helminth parasites
Article first published online: 5 SEP 2006
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01154.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
CHURCHER, T. S., FILIPE, J. A. N. and BASÁÑEZ, M.-G. (2006), Density dependence and the control of helminth parasites. Journal of Animal Ecology, 75: 1313–1320. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01154.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 26 SEP 2006
- Article first published online: 5 SEP 2006
- Received 18 December 2005; accepted 6 July 2006
Keywords:
- anthelmintics;
- metapopulation connectivity;
- overdispersion;
- parasite transmission;
- transient dynamics
Summary
- 1The transient dynamics and stability of a population are determined by the interplay between species density, its spatial distribution and the positive and negative density-dependent processes regulating population growth.
- 2Using the human–helminth parasite system as an example, we propose that the life-stage upon which negative density dependence operates will influence the rate of host reinfection following anthelmintic chemotherapy, and the likely success of control programmes.
- 3Simple deterministic models are developed which highlight how a parasite species whose population size is down-regulated by density-dependent establishment will reinfect a host population at a faster rate than a species with density-dependent parasite fecundity.
- 4Different forms of density dependence can produce the same equilibrium behaviour but different transient dynamics. Under-representing the nature and magnitude of density-dependent mechanisms, and in particular those operating upon establishing life-stages, may cause the resilience of the parasite population to a control perturbation to be underestimated.