Patterns, mechanisms, consequences of gender-biased parasitism in small mammals

We will review patterns, causes and consequences of gender−biased
infestation of small mammalian hosts by macroparasites. We start
with a description of gender biases in parasite infestation and discuss
variation in these patterns among host and parasite taxa. We will also
look at temporal and spatial variations in gender−biased parasitism
and demonstrate that they can vary seasonally and be mediated by
environmental conditions. Then, we will present main hypotheses
that examine mechanisms of gender−biased parasitism. One group of
these hypotheses focuses on differences between male and female
hosts in their probability to be attacked by parasites, while another
group links gender−biased parasitism with differences in parasite
performance in male versus female hosts. Finally, we discuss
possible consequences of male−biased parasitism for individual
parasites, their populations and communities.