Tag: parasites

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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plant-animal interaction

Toxic plants improve caterpillar immunity against some, but not all, parasites

Enakshi Ghosh, Ryan L. Paul, Paul J. Ode This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology research article which can be found here. Plants, insect herbivores, and their natural enemies (e.g., predators and parasites) rank among the most abundant and ecologically important species interactions in nearly all terrestrial environments. Insect herbivores, such as caterpillars, face a lot of challenges from below and above. … Continue reading Toxic plants improve caterpillar immunity against some, but not all, parasites

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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, 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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Infection-Induced Phenotypes

Does mother parasite or her offspring pay to manipulate host behaviour?

Shelley A. Adamo This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology review article that can be found here. Some parasites can hijack the brain of their hosts and control their behaviour. However, exercising this control can be costly for parasites. This cost can be paid for by the mother parasite, her offspring, or both. Parasitic wasps provide examples of how parents and siblings … Continue reading Does mother parasite or her offspring pay to manipulate host behaviour?

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ecosystems ecology

Parasites can change the way that ecosystems function

Joshua I. Brian, Sam A. Reynolds, David C. Aldridge This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology research article which is published here. Parasites are found in most, if not all, animals. While parasites are often considered from a purely negative perspective, they frequently have important roles to play in the wider environment. For example, by causing their hosts to die or not … Continue reading Parasites can change the way that ecosystems function

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community ecology

Parasites and bird ancestry: How bird evolutionary history drives avian malaria parasite composition

Gabriel M. De La Torre, Alan Fecchio, Jeffrey A. Bell, Karla M. Campião This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology research article which is published here. Parasites are living organisms that depend on other organisms, and this dependence is particularly interesting to a wide range of biologists. The relationship between a parasite and a host can be affected by several things, such … Continue reading Parasites and bird ancestry: How bird evolutionary history drives avian malaria parasite composition

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