All articles tagged with #parasite manipulation
New research shows Toxoplasma gondii can alter chimpanzee behavior, drawing infected individuals to the scent of leopards (the parasite’s natural predator), likely boosting transmission when felines prey on them; similar olfactory effects are suspected in humans, suggesting an evolutionary relic of the parasite’s manipulation.
Ants infected with the lancet liver fluke are manipulated by the parasite to attach to grass blades during cooler temperatures, increasing their chances of being consumed by grazers. Researchers have discovered that temperature serves as a trigger for the ant's behavior, with the infected ants climbing down when the temperature rises to protect themselves from lethal heat. Only one fluke controls the ant's brain, while the rest await transmission in the ant's abdomen. This study sheds light on the sophisticated manipulation tactics of parasites and their impact on host behavior in nature.