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Introduced species and their missing parasites

Author

Listed:
  • Mark E. Torchin

    (University of California)

  • Kevin D. Lafferty

    (University of California)

  • Andrew P. Dobson

    (Princeton University)

  • Valerie J. McKenzie

    (University of California)

  • Armand M. Kuris

    (University of California)

Abstract

Damage caused by introduced species results from the high population densities and large body sizes that they attain in their new location1,2,3,4. Escape from the effects of natural enemies is a frequent explanation given for the success of introduced species5,6. Because some parasites can reduce host density7,8,9,10,11,12,13 and decrease body size14, an invader that leaves parasites behind and encounters few new parasites can experience a demographic release and become a pest4,15. To test whether introduced species are less parasitized, we have compared the parasites of exotic species in their native and introduced ranges, using 26 host species of molluscs, crustaceans, fishes, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Here we report that the number of parasite species found in native populations is twice that found in exotic populations. In addition, introduced populations are less heavily parasitized (in terms of percentage infected) than are native populations. Reduced parasitization of introduced species has several causes, including reduced probability of the introduction of parasites with exotic species (or early extinction after host establishment), absence of other required hosts in the new location, and the host-specific limitations of native parasites adapting to new hosts.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark E. Torchin & Kevin D. Lafferty & Andrew P. Dobson & Valerie J. McKenzie & Armand M. Kuris, 2003. "Introduced species and their missing parasites," Nature, Nature, vol. 421(6923), pages 628-630, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:421:y:2003:i:6923:d:10.1038_nature01346
    DOI: 10.1038/nature01346
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Long, Zachary T. & Leroux, Shawn J. & Faninger, Thibault & Loreau, Michel, 2012. "Interactive effects of nutrient enrichment and the manipulation of intermediate hosts by parasites on infection prevalence and food web structure," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 1-7.
    2. Robert N. Reed, 2005. "An Ecological Risk Assessment of Nonnative Boas and Pythons as Potentially Invasive Species in the United States," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(3), pages 753-766, June.
    3. Buhle, Eric & Margolis, Michael & Ruesink, Jennifer L., 2004. "Bang for the Buck: Cost-Effective Control of Invasive Species with Different Life Histories," Discussion Papers 10793, Resources for the Future.
    4. Buhle, Eric R. & Margolis, Michael & Ruesink, Jennifer L., 2005. "Bang for buck: cost-effective control of invasive species with different life histories," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(3), pages 355-366, February.
    5. Lucas N Joppa & Rich Williams, 2013. "Modeling the Building Blocks of Biodiversity," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(2), pages 1-11, February.
    6. Anna C. Peterson & Himanshu Sharma & Arvind Kumar & Bruno M. Ghersi & Scott J. Emrich & Kurt J. Vandegrift & Amit Kapoor & Michael J. Blum, 2021. "Rodent Virus Diversity and Differentiation across Post-Katrina New Orleans," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-18, July.
    7. Gerardo Ivan Zardi & Katy Rebecca Nicastro & Christopher David McQuaid & Marcos Gektidis, 2009. "Effects of Endolithic Parasitism on Invasive and Indigenous Mussels in a Variable Physical Environment," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(8), pages 1-10, August.
    8. Hannah R Windley & Mandy C Barron & E Penelope Holland & Danswell Starrs & Wendy A Ruscoe & William J Foley, 2016. "Foliar Nutritional Quality Explains Patchy Browsing Damage Caused by an Invasive Mammal," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(5), pages 1-16, May.
    9. Strona, Giovanni, 2015. "A spatially explicit model to investigate how dispersal/colonization tradeoffs between short and long distance movement strategies affect species ranges," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 297(C), pages 80-85.

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