Potential effects of host competence and schooling behavior on parasite transmission in a host-pathogen system: a test of the dilution effect

High species diversity in a community may reduce the risk of infectious disease, termed the dilution effect. However, the generality of the dilution effect in different disease systems remains controversial as both host competence and behaviors of hosts may play roles in dilution or amplification of disease. Using the goldfish (Carassius auratus)-monogenean ectoparasite (Gyrodactylus kobayashii) system, effects of host competence and schooling behavior on parasite transmission were investigated while holding focal host density constant. Following competency tests of 12 fish species as potential hosts for the parasite, infection by G. kobayashii was determined on fins of goldfish mixed with each of three different species based on their level of host competence, including Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (low competence), grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus (non-competent), swordtail, Xiphophorus helleri (non-competent), and the four species combined. Compared with mean abundance (85.8 ± 25.1) on goldfish in the control group, the mean abundance on goldfish decreased significantly when paired with 10 Prussian carp (30.0 ± 16.5), but did not differ significantly when paired with 10 swordtail (70.0 ± 22.2), 10 grass carp (116.1 ± 33.2), or the multi-species of three Prussian carp, four grass carp and three swordtail (75.9 ± 30.8) during the 11-day experiment. The parasite was also found on the Prussian carp in the Prussian carp group and the multi-species group at a mean abundance of 7.1 and 10.9, respectively. Video recording showed that the school of goldfish mixed well with the Prussian carp, while they maintained separation from the grass carp and swordtail when mixed together. The distance between goldfish increased, and swimming speed and contact time decreased with the additional of other fish species for all groups. The results suggested that the presence of a low-competence host in sufficient numbers was a necessary condition for a dilution effect due to encounter reduction, and the dilution effect may also be enhanced by changes in schooling behavior of goldfish in the presence of low competence hosts. However, the presence of non-competent hosts did not result in any dilution effect owing to the specialist nature of the parasites and the lack of mixing with schools of goldfish.