Frank, S. A. 1993. A model of inducible defense. Evolution 47:325-327.

Hosts often amplify the expression of defensive structures or chemicals in response to an increasing probability of attack by parasites, herbivores or predators (Harvell, 1990). I address two questions here. First, what is the optimal pattern of amplification by the host in response to an increasing abundance of parasites? Second, what are the population dynamics of the host-parasite system when the hosts follow an optimal pattern of amplification?

 

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