MAMMAL DISEASE ECOLOGY: INFECTION AND HOST POPULATION DYNAMICS

BELDOMENICO, PM; HENTTONEN, H

Mendoza

Simposio; X International Mammalogy Congress; 2009

Several decades ago, Elton emphasised the possible role of pathogens in the dynamics of natural populations. Throughout most of the intervening period, however, population and community ecologists have neglected pathogens, in part because appropriate techniques have not been available. Now, though, the dynamics of pathogens in natural populations, and the role of pathogens in the dynamics of these populations, are major foci of interest in ecology, and are of relevance for public health, wildlife conservation and domestic animal health. The purpose of this symposium is to present some of the rapidly growing body of knowledge on the subject.