Category: Infection-Induced Phenotypes

Infection-Induced Phenotypes, Special Features

Are we our parasites? Mechanisms and consequences of infection-induced phenotypes SF

Lauren E. Nadler, Shelley A. Adamo, Dana M. Hawley, Sandra A. Binning This is a plain language summary of a Special Feature Editorial which can be found here. Whether we can see them or not, most animals harbour some kind of parasite. The parasites may live on either the outside or inside of their host. For some infected hosts, we can tell easily if they … Continue reading Are we our parasites? Mechanisms and consequences of infection-induced phenotypes SF

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Infection-Induced Phenotypes, Reviews, Special Features

Behavioural responses to parasites differ based on host social organization

Sebastian Stockmaier, Yuko Ulrich, Gregory F. Albery, Sylvia Cremer, Patricia C. Lopes This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology review article which can be found here. Like us, many animals are social. While social group living has many benefits, it increases the chances to acquire socially transmitted parasites and, hence, many animals have evolved behaviours to either avoid, resist, or tolerate infections … Continue reading Behavioural responses to parasites differ based on host social organization

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Infection-Induced Phenotypes, Special Features

A lethal fungal pathogen causes widespread disruption to amphibian hosts, but responses differ by species

Nicholas C. Wu This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology research article which can be found here. Emerging infectious diseases have contributed to the ongoing loss of biodiversity worldwide. How species respond to infectious pathogens depends on a myriad of environmental factors, as well as differences in the host and pathogen traits. However, the onset of disease largely depends on the amount … Continue reading A lethal fungal pathogen causes widespread disruption to amphibian hosts, but responses differ by species

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Infection-Induced Phenotypes, Special Features

Ghosts of parasites past

Marco A. Vindas, Helene L. E. Midttun, Lauren E. Nadler, Romain Fontaine, Finn-Arne Weltzien, Øyvind Øverli, Ida B. Johansen This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology research article which can be found here. Have you ever considered the possibility that you are not entirely in control of your own mind and behaviour? Well, you should. Tiny parasites living inside human bodies, and … Continue reading Ghosts of parasites past

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Infection-Induced Phenotypes

Worms induce immunological changes in the host that favor protozoa

Mauricio Seguel, Sarah A. Budischak, Anna E. Jolles, Vanessa O. Ezenwa This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology research article which can be found here. In nature, most animals are simultaneously infected with a diverse range of parasites. Some of these parasites, like gastrointestinal (GI) worms, can cause profound changes in the host that affect co-occurring parasites. In this study, focusing on … Continue reading Worms induce immunological changes in the host that favor protozoa

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Infection-Induced Phenotypes

Zombie ant fungi and their hosts’ final choices of where to die

Ian Will, Sara Linehan, David G. Jenkins, Charissa de Bekker This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology research article which can be found here. Ophiocordyceps “zombie ant fungi” infect and modify the behavior of carpenter ants. In the final moments before death, the infected ant wanders the forest vegetation in search of an elevated position that benefits production and spread of fungal … Continue reading Zombie ant fungi and their hosts’ final choices of where to die

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Infection-Induced Phenotypes

A parasite revamps DNA deep inside the brain of its host

Philip Ngo, Louis Lignereux, Ryan O’Handley, Ajai Vyas This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology research article which can be found here. A small hop on a ferry from the Australian mainland and one reaches Kangaroo Island. It comprises more than 4000 square kilometers of farms, sparsely living humans, periodic tourism exuberance, feral cats, biodiverse bushland, and a protected national park. The … Continue reading A parasite revamps DNA deep inside the brain of its host

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Infection-Induced Phenotypes

Treating stickelbacks infected with a tapeworm that alters its risk-taking behaviour with lithium restores some, but not all, of its normal behaviour

Verônica Angélica Alves and Nadia Aubin-Horth This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology research article which can be found here. Most organisms on earth are parasites. One of parasites’ keys to success is their ability to alter their host’s morphology, appearance, physiology, and behaviour. When the tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus infects the threespine stickleback, this small fish starts exhibiting risky behaviours such as … Continue reading Treating stickelbacks infected with a tapeworm that alters its risk-taking behaviour with lithium restores some, but not all, of its normal behaviour

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Infection-Induced Phenotypes, Pespectives

Linking infection, feeding behavior, and pathogen transmission

Jim Adelman and Francis Tillman This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology perspective article which can be found here. When animals get sick, their behavior often changes. While such changes can include gross alterations to activity levels and food consumption, subtler effects on the ability to find food or food preference may also arise. Each of these behavioral changes has important implications … Continue reading Linking infection, feeding behavior, and pathogen transmission

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Infection-Induced Phenotypes, Pespectives

Can parasites manipulate the capacity of hosts to change?

Chris Paveya, Ajai Vyas This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology perspective article which can be found here. Individual plants and animals, starting from the same set of genes, develop a range of different tissues. A seed becomes stalk, flowers, and leaves. A fetus slowly grows to make limbs and lungs. Similarly, animals change their behavior within their lifetime according to the … Continue reading Can parasites manipulate the capacity of hosts to change?

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