Transmission and Virulence Flashcards
What is transmission?
The spread of parasite to a host.
What is virulence?
The harm caused to a host species by a parasite.
How are ectoparasites transmitted?
Through direct contact or consumption of intermediate hosts.
How are endoparasites often transmitted?
By vectors.
What are factors that increase transmission rate?
The overcrowding of hosts when they are at high density.
Mechanisms such as vectors and waterborne dispersal stages that allow the parasite to spread even when the host in incapacitated.
How do parasites maximise transmission?
By exploiting and modifying host behaviour.
What are behaviours that parasites exploit ?
Foraging, movement, sexual behaviour, habitat choice, anti-predator behaviour.
How does host modification affect the parasite?
The host behaviour becomes part of the extended phenotype of the parasite.
How do parasites increase parasite growth, reproduction and transmission?
They suppress the host immune system and modify host size and reproductive rate.
