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

Weight of plants - quantitative characters, Weight of Plants - Quantitative...

Weight of Plants - Quantitative Characters Weight is one of the most important quantitative characteristics of plants. Quantitatively growth is best measured on the basis of d

Hypothermia, Hypothermia As the blood passes through the oxygenato...

Hypothermia As the blood passes through the oxygenator, hypothermia machine allows the blood to cool to the required temperature. Generally, the temperature is brought dow

Physiology and biochemistry evidences, PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY - ...

PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY - Ample and concrete evidence of organic evolution are obtained from the functional activity and chemical composition of animals. J.B.S. Hald

What are the stages of soil, What are the Stages of soil The developmen...

What are the Stages of soil The development of soil takes place in two stages. In the first stage there is formation of parent material which is generally consolidated and cons

Show vascular system which performs exchange of gases, Q. What is the part ...

Q. What is the part of the vascular system that performs exchange of gases and other substances with the tissues? Simply capillaries perform exchange of gases and other substan

Physical weathering-weathering of rocks, Physical Weathering Mechanical...

Physical Weathering Mechanical forces acting upon the rocks cause physical weathering. Temperature fluctuations cause expansion and contraction of rock surface resulting in the

Biological functions in which chlorine ions participate, Q. What are the ma...

Q. What are the major biological functions in which chlorine ions participate? Like sodium cations, chlorine anions actively participate in the regulation of the osmolarity of

Enema, Enema Enema may be given for the purpose of cleansing, for t...

Enema Enema may be given for the purpose of cleansing, for therapeutic purpose; to relieve intra-cranial pressure, abdominal distension, intusssception and for diagnostic p

What are possible treatments available, What are possible treatments availa...

What are possible treatments available for a herniated disc injury?

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