Gene expression during zombie ant biting behavior reflects the complexity underlying fungal parasitic behavioral manipulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adaptive manipulation of animal behavior by parasites functions to increase parasite transmission through changes in host behavior. These changes can range from slight alterations in existing behaviors of the host to the establishment of wholly novel behaviors. The biting behavior observed in Carpenter ants infected by the specialized fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis s.l. is an example of the latter. Though parasitic manipulation of host behavior is generally assumed to be due to the parasite's gene expression, few studies have set out to test this.

Results

We experimentally infected Carpenter ants to collect tissue from both parasite and host during the time period when manipulated biting behavior is experienced. Upon observation of synchronized biting, samples

SUBMITTER: de Bekker C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4545319 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature