Study Patterns
We identified substantial gaps in the literature reviewed for certain
combinations of moderators (Table 1). In particular, no observational
studies considered non-consumptive effects, and no studies that measured
parasitism by intensity metrics or that studied macroparasites
manipulated the effect of predator spreaders. Both micro- and
macroparasites are represented in studies measuring both prevalence and
intensity but macroparasites were more common in intensity studies
(n = 41/61) and microparasites more common in prevalence studies
(n = 66/89). Both macro- and microparasites had the effects of
both interaction types studied in fairly even proportions, but
non-consumptive effects were more represented in macroparasite
prevalence studies while they were more common in microparasite
intensity studies.