![]() This is a very important method of communication for social insects such as ants. Furthermore, we found some clues that the ability of the ants to communicate through chemosensing might be impaired. Some induce behaviours inappropriately, such as parasites that cause caterpillars and ants to climb to the top of a plant, fasten there and die before raining parasitic spores on more insects.Ĭharissa de Bekker (researching behavioural manipulation by fungal parasites at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität): In the case of Ophiocordyceps, also known as zombie ant fungi, we have some clues that serotonin and dopamine levels in the ant’s brain might be altered and certain receptors might be activated or blocked by alkaloids that the fungus produces. Some parasites reduce behaviours - for example, they halt their host from feeding. Shelley: This is highly variable, as it depends on the system. How is the host animals behaviour usually affected? Until the advent of superior antiretrovirals for patients with terminal AIDS, it was the reactivation of Toxoplasma gondii that was associated with the insanity and large holes in the brain. This is a major cause of epilepsy in many parts of the world. Classic ones include Taenia solium, the pig tapeworm, where you tend to find the larval stages in the brain. Joanne: There are lots of parasites that affect the central nervous system. ![]() Shelley: No one knows, but we think it’s been underestimated. How many types of brain-affecting parasites are there? This alteration has increased the success of the parasite, therefore the gene has spread throughout the population. Professor Shelley Adamo (researching invertebrate behavioural psychology at Dalhousie University): Some parasites, through a fortuitous mutation or other change, started to alter their hosts brain function - for example, via a secretion. For this reason, many parasites are naturally attracted to the brain and eyes. Professor Joanne Webster (researching parasites and behavioural alterations at Imperial College London): The brain, or central nervous system, is what is called a ‘privileged site’ for parasites and pathogens, hidden away from the full bombardment of the host’s immune system due to the blood brain barrier. Why do certain parasites choose to affect the host animal’s brain? To find out more about these unnerving but fascinating organisms, we spoke to three neuroparasitologists whose innovative research aims to find out more about this bizarre natural phenomenon. Some experts believe that they are only just scratching the surface when it comes to understanding what these parasites are capable of. It seems too weird to be true, but there are several examples of different species that use brain control as a survival tactic. By infecting animals in this way, some neurological parasites effectively turn their hosts into real-life zombies. Neuroparasitology is the scientific study of parasites that control the neurological systems of their hosts. Romero flick, but a genuine natural occurrence caused by fiendish little organisms that have evolved brain-controlling abilities in order to survive. No, not the terrifying subject of a new George A. Mindless, wandering creatures whose only remaining purpose in life is to serve their parasitic hosts.
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