We are measuring the reciprocal interactions between parasites and hosts, and the effects of parasites on host survival and reproduction. This unexplored possibility has the potential to explain a significant fraction of the earth's biodiversity. Such damage leads to a significant increase in metabolic rate to make up for heat loss. Experimental demonstration of the energetic cost of parasitism in free ranging hosts. R. Soc .
Ectoparasite virulence is linked to mode of transmission.
R. Soc . Oxford University Press.