Coevolution of host-parasites, Biology

Assignment Help:

Coevolutionary relationships between parasites and their hosts can be more complicated than between predators and their prey. As in the case of prey-predator relationship, one can expect hosts to evolve more effective defences against the parasite, and the parasite in turn can evolve to be more virulent. A balancing act has to be done here also as the parasite cannot afford to increase its own reproductive efficiency at the expense of the host. The death of the host would mean the death of the parasite before it could be transmitted to another living host. If the parasite has to be transferred from one host to another the parasite must evolve a lower degree of virulence so as not to kill the host. Successful host-parasite relationships are evolved on the dictum of "live and let live".

The well known Australian example illustrates the coevolution concept between rabbit hosts and myxorna virus parasite. European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus were first introduced into the Australian continent in the middle of the 19th century. In less than ten years the population multiplied into enormous numbers occupying a wide variety of environments in Australia from subalpine to subtropical zones. Towards the middle of the 19th century there were several hundred million rabbits. The rabbits had attained the status of a serious pest population. In order to control very effectively the population size, a search of natural enemies for the rabbits was made. Such a search reiealed that myxoma virus could multiply as an epizoite on rabbits and that mosquitoes could be the natural vectors for the mechanical transfer of the parasite.


Related Discussions:- Coevolution of host-parasites

Define contractile protein - biological functions of protein, Define Contra...

Define Contractile Protein - biological functions of protein? These proteins take part in contractile processes like muscle proteins also those found in other cells and tissues

Define the process of digestion of fats, Define the Process of Digestion of...

Define the Process of Digestion of Fats? The enzyme in human gut which is responsible for fat digestion is 'lipase', Lipase is secreted by both stomach and pancreas. In stomach

Investigation of aortic regurgitation by exercise testing, Q. Investigation...

Q. Investigation of aortic regurgitation by Exercise Testing? It is helpful in assessing functional capacity, symptom status and hemodynamic effects in patients with severe AR

Explain ketogenic diet, Explan Ketogenic diet Ketogenic diet:   It is ...

Explan Ketogenic diet Ketogenic diet:   It is occasionally used to facilitate the control of epilepsy. Here, the patient  is  initially  fasted  for  48 hours and thereafter,

What two characteristics unique and different from others, In general compa...

In general compare and contrast the three functional classifications of joints according to movement. What are two characteristics that make synovial joints unique and different fr

What is folic acid, What is folic acid? Why is the anemia caused by deficie...

What is folic acid? Why is the anemia caused by deficiency of folic acid known as megaloblastic anemia? The folic acid (when ionized it is known as folate) is a coenzyme that

Global air circulation, Global Air Circulation The major wind systems o...

Global Air Circulation The major wind systems of the earth result because large masses of air around the earth's equator are forced to rise from the bottom due to surface heati

Is the epithelium vascularized, Q. Is the epithelium vascularized? How do o...

Q. Is the epithelium vascularized? How do oxygen and nutrients reach the epithelium? Why is this feature an important evolutionary acquisition? Epithelia are not vascularized c

What are non-threshold approaches, Non-threshold  approaches For  gene...

Non-threshold  approaches For  genetic carcinogenes, the  "NOEL-safety factor"  approach  is generally  not considered a suitable method for setting the acceptable intake level

State the goals of neuropsychological assessment, State the Goals of neurop...

State the Goals of neuropsychological assessment The psychological domains/processes/ components are mediated by specific brain structures and connected brain structures formin

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd