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Abstract
Traditionally, the major biotic determinants of animal community structure were assumed
to be competition and predation. Recent theoretical, experimental and field studies
indicate that parasitism is also important. The spectrum of effects that parasites
have on host individuals is as broad as the range of parasite-host interactions. This
review considers evidence for direct effects of parasites on fecundity and survival
that influence host demography, and for indirect effects on host physiology and behavior
that interface with competition and predation.