A biological invasion modifies host immune responses to parasite infection

Biological invasions can disrupt the close and longstanding co-evolved relationships between host and parasites. At the same time, the shifting selective forces acting on demograpy during invasion can result in rapid evolution of traits in both host and parasite. Hosts at the invasion front may reduce investment into costly immune defences and redistribute those resources to other fitness-enhancing traits. Parasites at the invasion front may have reduced pathogenicity because traits that negatively impact host dispersal are left behind in the expanding range. The host’s immune system is its primary arsenal in the coevolutionary ‘arms race’ with parasites. To assess the effects of invasion history on immune responses to parasite infection we conducted a cross-infection experiment which paired common-garden reared cane toads and lungworm parasites originating from various sites in their invaded range across northern Australia. Infected toads had larger spleens and higher concentrations of..., Data are measures and identifying information for individual cane toads (Rhinella marina) experimentally infected with a lungworm parasite ( Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala.), , # Data from: A biological invasion modifies host immune responses to parasite infection

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x69p8czsf](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x69p8czsf)

Description of the data and file structure

Data are from an experiment where cane toads from different sites were exposed to lungworm parasites from different sites. Toad immune responses to infection were then measured. Cells with n/a indicate missing or undefined data.

ID – Individual ID code 

infection treatment- Control or exposed to parasites from one of 6 sites

litter- ID code indicating family origin of each toad

toad_site- location from which each toads parents were captured

toad_state- Australian state each capture location was in

Exposed to Rhabdias?- Yes vs No variable to indicate whether toad was exposed to Rhabdias or served as an unexposed Control

worm_state- Australian state where the capture site of parasite donor toad was located

became infected?- Yes vs No indication of whether parasites we...