Why are behavioral and immune traits linked?
Horm Behav
; 88: 52-59, 2017 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27667337
ABSTRACT
Through behavior, animals interact with a world where parasites abound. It is easy to understand how behavioral traits can thus have a differential effect on pathogen exposure. Harder to understand is why we observe behavioral traits to be linked to immune defense traits. Is variation in immune traits a consequence of behavior-induced variation in immunological experiences? Or is variation in behavioral traits a function of immune capabilities? Is our immune system a much bigger driver of personality than anticipated? In this review, I provide examples of how behavioral and immune traits co-vary. I then explore the different routes linking behavioral and immune traits, emphasizing on the physiological/hormonal mechanisms that could lead to immune control of behavior. Finally, I discuss why we should aim at understanding more about the mechanisms connecting these phenotypic traits.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Personalidad
/
Conducta Animal
/
Inmunidad Innata
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Horm Behav
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article