title: Multidimensionality in parasite-induced phenotypic alterations: ultimate versus proximate aspects.
abstract: In most cases, parasites alter more than one dimension in their host phenotype. Although multidimensionality in parasite-induced phenotypic alterations (PIPAs) seems to be the rule, it has started to be addressed only recently. Here, we critically review some of the problems associated with the definition, quantification and interpretation of multidimensionality in PIPAs. In particular, we confront ultimate and proximate accounts, and evaluate their own limitations. We end up by introducing several suggestions for the development of future research, including some practical guidelines for the quantitative analysis of multidimensionality in PIPAs.
authors.affiliation: Université de Bourgogne, Equipe Ecologie Evolutive, UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences, Université de Bourgogne, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France. frank.cezilly@u-bourgogne.fr
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cézilly
authors.forename: Adrien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Favrat
authors.forename: Marie-Jeanne
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Perrot-Minnot
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000818:Animals; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D010271:Parasites / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype