Impacts of infection avoidance for populations affected by sexually transmitted infections

0492421 - BC 2019 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Theuer, M. - Berec, Luděk
Impacts of infection avoidance for populations affected by sexually transmitted infections.
Journal of Theoretical Biology. Roč. 455, OCT 14 (2018), s. 64-74. ISSN 0022-5193. E-ISSN 1095-8541
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : mate choice * mating preferences * mating system
OECD category: Biology (theoretical, mathematical, thermal, cryobiology, biological rhythm), Evolutionary biology
Impact factor: 1.875, year: 2018
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022519318303242

We show that accounting for infection avoidance by susceptible hosts in a host-pathogen interaction significantly alters host population dynamics. In particular, we observe bistability between the disease-free and endemic or disease-induced extinction equilibria, significant abrupt reduction in the host population size and disease-induced host extinction. From the population persistence perspective, the best strategy is either not to avoid mating with the infected individuals, to prevent disease-induced host extinction, or to completely avoid mating with the infected individuals, to prevent pathogen invasion. In addition, we find that increasing sterilization efficiency of the infection leads to lower population sizes and reduced effect of mating avoidance.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0287687