英国の科学誌『ネイチャー』の最新号に掲載された論文によれば、カエルの種多様性と寄生虫感染率との間には密接な関係があるという。
According to an article published in the latest issue of the British scientific journal Nature, there is a close relationship between the diversity of frog species and the rate of parasitic infection.
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As a result of the experiment, it was shown that even when the total number of frogs was the same, the incidence of disease caused by parasitic infection in a particular species was clearly lower in environments where multiple species coexisted than in environments where only a single species was present.
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In other words, in conclusion, the higher the diversity, the lower the risk of infection.
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If the presence of other species lowers their own probability of infection, each species would have no choice but to opt for coexistence rather than competitive exclusion.
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In some cases, by giving up a portion of the resources they use to other species, an individual can help maintain the survival of those species, which may even benefit themselves in the long run.
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Just as intraspecific cooperation is observed in ant societies, the phenomenon in which multiple species share certain costs and coexist while enjoying mutual benefits can truly be called a form of cooperation that transcends species boundaries.
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What makes this phenomenon even more interesting is that it is closely linked to the presence of parasites, which can threaten the survival of frogs.
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From the perspective of the parasite, in an environment where only susceptible species exist, there are no restrictions on hosts, so there is a possibility of explosive growth in a short period of time.
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However, if all the frog hosts become infected and die, the parasite will eventually lose its hosts and will not be able to survive for long.
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Therefore, the presence of many frogs is not disadvantageous for the parasites; rather, it serves as a self-regulating mechanism that enables their long-term survival.
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Biodiversity is not simply a matter of the number of species, but also the wisdom of entire ecosystems striving to maintain balance through interdependence.
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