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

Eye drops, Eye Drops Medication is instilled in the form of drops or ...

Eye Drops Medication is instilled in the form of drops or ointment.   Purpose To dilate pupil e.g. Atropine 1 per cent, drosyn 5 per cent or 10 per cent  To c

What are instances of nematodes, Q. What are instances of nematodes? As...

Q. What are instances of nematodes? Ascaris, filaria and hookworm, all parasites of humans, are instance of nematodes also known as roundworms. Q. Are nematodes exclusively

Nephridia of worms, Normal 0 false false false EN-IN ...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Ventricular assist devices in circulatory assist devices, Ventricular Assis...

Ventricular Assist Devices :  These come handy when IABP has failed or when prolonged circulatory support is needed. Now Ieft ventricular (LVAD), right ventricular (RVAD) and bive

Explain the universality of the genetic code, How does the universality of ...

How does the universality of the genetic code make the recombinant DNA technology possible? The universality of the genetic code refers to the fact that all living beings have

When should eat a salad with lettuce, When you eat a salad with lettuce, cr...

When you eat a salad with lettuce, croutons, hard-boiled egg, bacon bits, and salad dressing, which one of those ingredients will be broken down the least by your digestive system?

Adrenocortical steroids - vertebrates, Normal 0 false false ...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Transcription factors have multiple domains, In most cases, the transcripti...

In most cases, the transcription factors in eukaryotes which bind to promoter   or enhancer sequences   are activator   proteins   which induce   transcription.   That proteins gen

Explain food plan for an anaemic pregnant lady, Explain Food plan for an an...

Explain Food plan for an anaemic pregnant lady? Justification of the Plan: The plan is for an anaemic pregnant lady, from a lower socio-economic level and doing moderate lev

What is atrial switches operations, What is Atrial Switches Operations (Sen...

What is Atrial Switches Operations (Senning or Mustard Operation) ? In transposition of the great arteries there is ventriculo arterial discordance whereby aorta arises from ri

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