Prevention of Population Cycles by Parasite Removal

• DOI: 10.1126/science.282.5397.2256
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:50:14Z
• Authors: Peter J. Hudson; Andy P. Dobson; Dave Newborn
• Keywords: Grouse; Population cycle; Population density

The regular cyclic fluctuations in vertebrate numbers have intrigued scientists for more than 70 years, and yet the cause of such cycles has not been clearly demonstrated. Red grouse populations Britain exhibit abundance, with periodic crashes. hypothesis that these are caused by impact a nematode parasite on host fecundity was tested experimentally reducing burdens grouse. Treatment population prevented crashes, demonstrating parasites were fluctuations.