Impacts of selective predation on infection prevalence and host susceptibility

Predation can alter diverse ecological processes, including host–parasite interactions. Selective predation, whereby predators preferentially feed on certain prey types, can affect prey density and selective pressures. Studies on selective predation in infected populations have primarily focused on predators preferentially feeding on infected prey. However, there is substantial evidence that some predators preferentially consume uninfected individuals. Such different strategies of prey selectivity likely modulate host–parasite interactions, changing the fitness payoffs both for hosts and their parasites. Here we investigated the effects of different types of selective predation on infection dynamics and host evolution. We used a host–parasite system in the laboratory (Daphnia dentifera infected with the horizontally transmitted fungus, Metschnikowia bicuspidata) to artificially manipulate selective predation by removing infected, uninfected, or randomly selected prey over approximately ..., , , For the data files associated with the manuscript \"Selective predation can impact infection prevalence and host susceptibility\" by S.O. Gutierrez, X.E. Bernal, and C.L. Searle.

Description of data files:
Population_data_Gutierrez_etal
Susceptibility_data_Gutierrez_etal
Length_data_Gutierrez_etal

For the file: \"Population_data_Gutierrez_etal.\" These data are from the weekly sampling of the populations during the \"population experiment\" portion of the project.
Beaker = replicate number
Sample_num = the week each sample was taken
Predation = the selective predation treatment where \"Infected\" = infected individuals were removed, \"Uninfected\" = uninfected individuals were removed, and \"Random\" = both infected and uninfected individuals were removed
*Adult_F = uninfected adult female
*Ephi_F = uninfected adult female carrying an ephippium (resting egg)
*Juv_F = uninfected juvenile female
*Ad_M = uninfected adult male
*Juv_M = uninfected juvenile male
*Inf_Ad_F = infected adult female
*Inf_E...