The impact of parasites on wild animal populations.
Infectious agents can exert important effects on host population dynamics both when they are endemic or epidemic. For parasites to regulate host populations, they must have demonstrable density-dependent effects on either host reproduction or survival. In addition, both parasite and host distributions must be described to determine population level effects. Approaches and methodologies, and the limitations associated with them in investigating parasitism of free-living wild animals are reviewed.
Gulland
F M
FM
Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA.
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology*; D004463:Ecology; D005298:Fertility; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008136:Longevity; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D011157:Population Dynamics; D014774:Virulence