Co-extinction in a host-parasite network: identifying key hosts for network stability

摘要: Parasites comprise a substantial portion of total biodiversity. Ultimately, this means that host extinction could result in many secondary extinctions obligate parasites and potentially alter host-parasite network structure. Here, we examined highly resolved fish-parasite to determine key hosts responsible for maintaining parasite diversity structure (quantified here as nestedness modularity). We evaluated four possible orders compared the resulting co-extinction dynamics random simulations; including removal based on estimated risk, species richness level contributions modularity. found all orders, except one realistic resulted faster declines relative biodiversity loss. Further, determined species-level were best predicted by family. Taken together, demonstrate small proportion contribute substantially these results rapid As stability can be inferred through measures structure, our findings may provide insight into traits confer stability.