Social network plasticity decreases disease transmission in a eusocial insect.

Details

Ressource 1Download: 941.full.pdf (497.87 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: author
Serval ID
serval:BIB_E9228C205467
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Social network plasticity decreases disease transmission in a eusocial insect.
Journal
Science
Author(s)
Stroeymeyt N., Grasse A.V., Crespi A., Mersch D.P., Cremer S., Keller L.
ISSN
1095-9203 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0036-8075
Publication state
Published
Issued date
23/11/2018
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
362
Number
6417
Pages
941-945
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Animal social networks are shaped by multiple selection pressures, including the need to ensure efficient communication and functioning while simultaneously limiting disease transmission. Social animals could potentially further reduce epidemic risk by altering their social networks in the presence of pathogens, yet there is currently no evidence for such pathogen-triggered responses. We tested this hypothesis experimentally in the ant Lasius niger using a combination of automated tracking, controlled pathogen exposure, transmission quantification, and temporally explicit simulations. Pathogen exposure induced behavioral changes in both exposed ants and their nestmates, which helped contain the disease by reinforcing key transmission-inhibitory properties of the colony's contact network. This suggests that social network plasticity in response to pathogens is an effective strategy for mitigating the effects of disease in social groups.
Keywords
Animals, Ants/microbiology, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Metarhizium/pathogenicity, Social Behavior, Social Networking
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
24/10/2018 11:50
Last modification date
21/11/2022 8:23
Usage data