Relationship between population density and viral infection

Ondertitel:a role for personality?

Conspecific density and animal personality (consistent among‐individual differences in behavior) may both play an important role in disease ecology. Nevertheless, both factors have rarely been studied together but may provide insightful information in understanding pathogen transmission dynamics. In this study, we investigated how both personality and density affect viral infections both direct and indirectly, using the multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis) and Morogoro arenavirus (MORV) as a model system. Using a replicated semi‐natural experiment, we found a positive cor‐relation between MORV antibody presence and density, suggesting that MORV in‐fection is density‐dependent. Surprisingly, slower explorers were more likely to have antibodies against MORV compared to highly explorative individuals. However, explo‐ration was positively correlated with density which may suggest a negative, indirect effect of density on MORV infection. We have shown here that in order to better un‐derstand disease ecology, both personality and density should be taken into account.

Jaar van publicatie:2019

Trefwoorden:A1 Journal article

BOF-keylabel:ja

BOF-publication weight:1

CSS-citation score:1

Auteurs:International

Authors from:Higher Education

Toegankelijkheid:Open