Why are behavioral and immune traits linked?
Through behavior, animals interact with a world where parasites abound. It is easy to understand how behavioral traits can thus have a differential effect on pathogen exposure. Harder to understand is why we observe behavioral traits to be linked to immune defense traits. Is variation in immune traits a consequence of behavior-induced variation in immunological experiences? Or is variation in behavioral traits a function of immune capabilities? Is our immune system a much bigger driver of personality than anticipated? In this review, I provide examples of how behavioral and immune traits co-vary. I then explore the different routes linking behavioral and immune traits, emphasizing on the physiological/hormonal mechanisms that could lead to immune control of behavior. Finally, I discuss why we should aim at understanding more about the mechanisms connecting these phenotypic traits.
Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: patricia.lopes@ieu.uzh.ch.
Patricia C
PC
Lopes
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000502:physiology*; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype
Behavioral syndromes; Coping styles; Cytokines; Early life experiences; Maternal antibodies; Microbiota; Parental investment; Personality; Physiology