Sex-biased parasitism is not universal: evidence from rodent-flea associations from three biomes.

摘要: The distribution of parasites among individual hosts is characterised by high variability that believed to be a result variations in host traits. To find general patterns traits affecting parasite abundance, we studied flea infestation nine rodent species from three different biomes (temperate zone central Europe, desert Middle East and tropics Africa). We tested for independent interactive effects sex body mass on the number fleas harboured an while accounting spatial clustering sampling temporal variation. found no consistent effect abundance either within biome or biomes. evidence sex-biased just five (Apodemus agrarius, Myodes glareolus, Microtus arvalis, Gerbillus andersoni, Mastomys natalensis). In six species, (all mentioned above Meriones crassus). This was positive negative one (Microtus arvalis). M. G. natalensis, relationship between mediated sex. manifested steeper change with increasing male than female individuals (M. natalensis), whereas opposite pattern arvalis. Our findings suggest are common determinants mammalian hosts, but neither them follows universal rules. implies characteristics mechanisms responsible acquisition may differently species.