The effect of predation on the prevalence and aggregation of pathogens in prey
Date
2011
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Although pathogens and predators have been widely used as bio-control agents against problematic prey
species, little has been done to examine the prevalence and aggregation of pathogens in spatially structured
eco-epidemiological systems. Here, we present a spatial model of a predator–prey/host–parasite
system based on pair approximation and spatially stochastic simulations, with the predation pressure
indicated by predator abundance and predation rates. Susceptible prey can not only be infected by
contacting adjacent infected individuals but also by the global transmission of pathogens. The disease
prevalence was found to follow a hump-shaped function in response to predation pressure. Moreover,
predation pressure was not always negatively correlated with pathogen aggregation as proposed from
empirical studies, but depending on the level of predation pressure. Highly connected site network facilitated
the parasites infection, especially under high predation pressure. However, the connectivity of site
network had no effect on the prevalence and aggregation of pathogens that can infect health prey through
global transmission. It is thus possible to better design biological control strategies for target species by
manipulating predation pressure and the range of pathogen transmission.
Description
Keywords
Eco-epidemiology, Predation pressure, Spatial structure, Join-count statistics
Citation
Su, M. & Hui, C. (2011) The effect of predation on the prevalence and aggregation of pathogens in prey. BioSystems, 105: 300-306.