Host–Parasite Coevolution and Its Ecological Consequences
Keywords:
Host–parasite coevolution, eco-evolutionary dynamics, disease ecology, virulence evolution, genetic diversityAbstract
This study examines host–parasite coevolution as a dynamic evolutionary process and analyses its ecological consequences across genetic, population and ecosystem levels. Reciprocal adaptation between hosts and parasites generates fluctuating selection pressures that influence resistance, virulence and transmission dynamics, thereby shaping disease prevalence and host population resilience. The research adopts a secondary data synthesis approach, integrating empirical findings and theoretical models published from 2015 onwards to identify consistent eco-evolutionary patterns across diverse host–parasite systems. Results indicate that higher host genetic diversity is associated with reduced parasite prevalence and more stable coevolutionary cycles, while low-diversity populations experience intensified arms race dynamics and periodic epidemics. Trade-offs between host resistance, tolerance and parasite virulence further regulate epidemiological outcomes and community stability. The study highlights that coevolutionary interactions extend beyond pairwise relationships to influence biodiversity, trophic interactions and ecosystem functioning, particularly under environmental variability and anthropogenic disturbances.
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