Vector-borne parasite invasion in communities across space and time

Abstract

While vector-borne parasite transmission often operates via generalist-feeding vectors facilitating cross-species transmission in host communities, theory describing the relationship between host species diversity and parasite invasion in these systems is underdeveloped. Host community composition and abundance vary across space and time, generating opportunities for parasite invasion. To explore how host community variation can modify parasite invasion potential, we develop a model for vector-borne parasite transmission dynamics that includes a host community of arbitrary richness and species' abundance. To compare invasion potential across communities, we calculate the community basic reproductive ratio of the parasite. We compare communities comprising a set of host species to their subsets, which allows for flexible scenario building including the introduction of novel host species and species loss. We allow vector abundance to scale with, or be independent of, community size, capturing regulation by feeding opportunities and non-host effects such as limited oviposition sites. Motivated by equivocal data relating host species competency to abundance, we characterize plausible host communities via phenomenological relationships between host species abundance and competency. We identify an underappreciated mechanism whereby changes to communities simultaneously alter average competency and the vector to host ratio and demonstrate that the interaction can profoundly influence invasion potential.

Biodiversity and vector‐borne diseases: Host dilution and vector amplification occur simultaneously for Amazonian leishmaniases

“…It has been shown that changes in biodiversity can either amplify or dilute pathogen transmission, through multiple mechanisms which can sometimes occur within the same system (Clay et al, 2009a; 2009b; Faust et al, 2017; Huang et al, 2015; Luis et al, 2018; Miller & Huppert, 2013; Ogden & Tsao, 2009; Roche & Guégan, 2011; Rohr et al, 2015; Swei et al, 2011; Wood et al, 2020). In the case of vector‐borne diseases, it has been stressed that the ecology and feeding habits of arthropod vectors must also be considered (Carlson et al, 2009; Hamer et al, 2011; Laporta et al, 2013; Loss et al, 2009; McGregor et al, 2018; Miller & Huppert, 2013; Ogden & Tsao, 2009; Park et al, 2016; Randolph & Dobson, 2012; Roche & Guégan, 2011; Roche et al, 2013; Swei et al, 2011; Titcomb et al, 2017; Vinson & Park, 2019).…”

The one health perspective to improve environmental surveillance of zoonotic viruses: lessons from COVID-19 and outlook beyond

“…The breadth of the host’s diet is further positively correlated to their accumulation of microparasites due to diverse exposure [ 68 ]. Similarly, vectors of zoonotic disease tend to feed on multiple host species, allowing populations to adapt to varying host availability [ 69 ]. For a vector-borne pathogen to cause zoonotic concern, it’s vector typically would preferentially feed on humans [ 70 ].…”

Host community composition, community assembly pattern, and disease transmission mode jointly determine the direction and strength of the diversity-disease relationship

“…Then we relaxed this condition by assuming that there was no relationship between R 0i and species abundance (neutral). Finally, we considered a negative relationship between R 0i and host abundance, where the most abundant species were the least competent (Vinson and Park, 2019).…”