The influence of biological rhythms on host–parasite interactions

Martinez-Bakker, M. and Helm, B. (2015) The influence of biological rhythms on host–parasite interactions. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 30(6), pp. 314-326. (doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2015.03.012) (PMID:25907430)

Abstract

Biological rhythms, from circadian control of cellular processes to annual cycles in life history, are a main structural element of biology. Biological rhythms are considered adaptive because they enable organisms to partition activities to cope with, and take advantage of, predictable fluctuations in environmental conditions. A flourishing area of immunology is uncovering rhythms in the immune system of animals, including humans. Given the temporal structure of immunity, and rhythms in parasite activity and disease incidence, we propose that the intersection of chronobiology, disease ecology, and evolutionary biology holds the key to understanding host–parasite interactions. Here, we review host–parasite interactions while explicitly considering biological rhythms, and propose that rhythms: influence within-host infection dynamics and transmission between hosts, might account for diel and annual periodicity in host–parasite systems, and can lead to a host–parasite arms race in the temporal domain.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Helm, Dr Barbara
• Authors: Martinez-Bakker, M., and Helm, B.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Trends in Ecology and Evolution
• Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
• ISSN: 0169-5347
• ISSN (Online): 1872-8383
• Published Online: 20 April 2015
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier, Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Trends in Ecology and Evolution 30(6)-314-326
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.