Population dynamics under parasitic sex ratio distortion (Q1303988)

We examine the effects of sex ratio distortion by a vertically transmitted, feminizing parasite on the dynamics of a finite host population. We first present a general deterministic modeling framework, wherein we assume that the prevalence of the parasite, and hence the population sex ratio, has reached its equilibrium value as predicted from fitness-based models. This analysis identifies pathways to population extinction, and quantifies the relationships among several key life history parameters critical to the coexistence or extinction of host and parasite. We go on to consider the effects of stochasticity on parasite invasion into a host population and the subsequent probability of host and parasite extinction, parasite clearance, and host population recovery. Finally, we investigate the predictions of the models for biological systems using parameters taken from the \(G\). \textit{duebeni} system as an example. We discuss the consequences of our results for host population stability, parasite prevalence, and host primary sex ratio evolution.