Journal Article10.1111/J.1461-0248.2006.00895.X
Testing the role of parasites in driving the cyclic population dynamics of a gamebird
TL;DR: It is inferred that a single trophic interaction between a parasite and its host does not explain cyclic dynamics in spring breeding density in this species, although it contributed to the start of a cyclic decline.
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Abstract: The role of parasites in regulating populations has been the subject of debate. We tested whether parasites caused population cycles in red grouse by manipulating parasite intensities in four, paired 1 km2 study areas during cyclic population declines over 4 years. Parasite reductions led to (1) larger grouse broods, (2) higher population densities in both autumn and spring, (3) reduced autumn population declines in one of two regions, and (4) reduced spring declines, but only in the first year. We infer that a single trophic interaction between a parasite and its host does not explain cyclic dynamics in spring breeding density in this species, although it contributed to the start of a cyclic decline. Another process was operating to drive the populations down. Together with our other results these findings emphasize that both trophic and intrinsic processes may act within populations to cause unstable dynamics.
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Citations
Wildlife diseases: from individuals to ecosystems
TL;DR: The authors' ecological understanding of wildlife infectious diseases from the individual host to the ecosystem scale is reviewed, highlighting where conceptual thinking lacks verification, discussing difficulties and challenges, and offering potential future research directions.
Population cycles: generalities, exceptions and remaining mysteries
TL;DR: Experiments to stop cyclic dynamics and comparisons of cyclic and noncyclic populations provide some understanding but both reproduction and mortality must be considered.
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Physiological stress links parasites to carotenoid‐based colour signals
François Mougeot,Jesús Martínez-Padilla,Gary R. Bortolotti,Lucy M. I. Webster,Stuart B. Piertney +4 more
TL;DR: It is shown that parasites increase stress and reduce carotenoid‐based coloration, and that the impact of parasites on coloration was associated with changes in corticosterone, more than changes in body mass.
Parasites, testosterone and honest carotenoid-based signalling of health
François Mougeot,François Mougeot,Lorenzo Pérez-Rodríguez,Jesús Martínez-Padilla,Fiona Leckie,Stephen M. Redpath +5 more
TL;DR: Testing the hypothesis that carotenoid-based signalling is enhanced by testosterone but reduced by parasites, and that the dual action of testosterone on ornament expression and parasite resistance ensures reliable signalling shows that investigating how parasites, testosterone and carotanoids interact helps in the understanding of the evolution and maintenance of honestCarotenoids-based signals of health.
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Maternal effects mechanism of population cycling: a formidable competitor to the traditional predator–prey view
Pablo Inchausti,Lev R. Ginzburg +1 more
TL;DR: This short review attempts to describe the arguments for and against this internal two-dimensional approach to cyclic phenomena.
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