Co-Authors:
Villalba, J.J., Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-5230, United States
Miller, J., Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, 70803 Baton Rouge, United States
Ungar, E.D., Department of Natural Resources, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Landau, S.Y., Department of Natural Resources, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Glendinning, J., Department of Biology, Barnard College, Columbia University, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY, United States
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal helminths challenge ruminants in ways that reduce their fitness. In turn, ruminants have evolved physiological and behavioral adaptations that counteract this challenge. Ruminants display anorexia and avoidance behaviors, which tend to reduce the incidence of parasitism. In addition, ruminants appear to learn to self-medicate against gastrointestinal parasites by increasing consumption of plant secondary compounds with antiparasitic actions. This selective feeding improves health and fitness. Here, we review the evidence for self-medication in ruminants, propose a hypothesis to explain self-medicative behaviors (based on post-ingestive consequences), and discuss mechanisms (e.g., enhanced neophilia, social transmission) that may underlie the ontogeny and spread of self-medicative behaviors in social groups. A better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie and trigger self-medication in parasitized animals will help scientists devise innovative and more sustainable management strategies for improving ruminant health and well-being. © 2014 J.J. Villalba et al., published by EDP Sciences.
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