Abstract
When parasites have different interests in regard to how their host should behave this can result in a conflict over host manipulation, i.e. parasite induced changes in host behaviour that enhance parasite fitness. Such a conflict can result in the alteration, or even complete suppression, of one parasite's host manipulation. Many parasites, and probably also symbionts and commensals, have the ability to manipulate the behaviour of their host. Non‐manipulating parasites should also have an interest in host behaviour. Given the frequency of multiple parasite infections in nature, potential conflicts of interest over host behaviour and manipulation may be common. This review summarizes the evidence on how parasites can alter other parasite's host manipulation. Host manipulation can have important ecological and medical consequences. I speculate on how a conflict over host manipulation could alter these consequences and potentially offer a new avenue of research to ameliorate harmful consequences of host manipulation.
Highlights
Host manipulation and multiple infectionsTo reproduce, parasites need to survive long enough to complete their life cycle
This study shows that one parasite can suppress host manipulation by another parasite even between species
If there is a conflict over host manipulation, host manipulation by one parasite can be altered up to its complete suppression by other, co-infecting parasites from either the same or a different species
Summary
Parasites need to survive long enough to complete their life cycle. In some cases, they need to move to a different habitat – be it a different host or the host’s habitat. Whether such a conflict over host manipulation will occur depends on the specific evolutionary interests of each of the parasites involved It can occur between parasites with different transmission strategies (e.g. trophic transmission vs reproduction within the current host or vertical transmission), different specific interests (e.g. different subsequent hosts) and different developmental stages (i.e. infective vs not yet infective) (Fig. 1). This last potential conflict can occur between parasites of the same species if they represent different developmental stages. Paracalliopef luviatili (amphipod)N Batillariaattr amentaria (mollusc)N Rattusnorve gicus (mamal)E Mus musculus (mamal)E
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