Host–parasite systems

Host–parasite models describe interactions in which a parasite benefits from a host while imposing a biological cost on that host.

Important processes

A model may include host reproduction and mortality, parasite transmission, parasite-induced host mortality, recovery, immunity, or stages of parasite development.

Population feedback

More hosts can provide more opportunities for parasite transmission. Increasing parasite abundance can then reduce host survival or reproduction, which feeds back into parasite dynamics.

Relation to other models

Host–parasite systems share ideas with predator–prey and infectious-disease models, but the correct mathematical structure depends on the parasite life cycle and the biological question.