Social living simultaneously increases infection risk and decreases the cost of infection

In this study, we used an anthelmintic treatment experiment in wild Grant's gazelles (Nanger granti), who are commonly infected with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), to show that social living confers both costs and benefits related to GIN parasitism. We show that although larger group size increases GIN infection risk, a key cost of GIN infection—the suppression of food intake—is simultaneously moderated by living in larger groups. Our findings help illuminate the complex role parasites play in the evolution of host social behaviour.
Source: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: behaviour, health and disease and epidemiology Source Type: research