Natural Section Favors Parasite Fitness Over Host Health

Monday, May 12, 2008 - 17:28 in Biology & Nature

Scientists have uncovered evidence that natural selection selects for harmful parasites by maximizing parasite fitness. Studying monarch butterflies Danaus plexippus infected with parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, the scientists observed that higher levels of replication within the host resulted in both higher virulence and greater transmission of the parasite.

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