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« FSM Manifestation | Main | Million Book Project Flawed? »

Behavioral Manipulation by a Parasite

Category: Behavioral Biology
Posted on: November 27, 2007 12:47 PM, by Greg Laden

I almost drank one of these things once (accidentally):

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Comments

1

I'd stay away from the Washington Ave. bridge until I was sure... Fascinating and very creepy at the same time. I could see where this would really change the way we think about malaria vectors.

Posted by: Puskala | November 27, 2007 1:40 PM

2

How do you know you nearly swallowed one?

Posted by: Monado | November 27, 2007 7:12 PM

3

It was in the cup of water I was drinking.

Posted by: Greg Laden | November 27, 2007 8:04 PM

4

Daniel Dennett often uses a similar example in talks he gives; a parasite (can't remember the name right now) that causes ants to climb to the top of blades of grass or other plants that make them more likely to end up in the stomach of a sheep /cow or other ruminant where the parasite then reproduces.

Posted by: Christopher | November 28, 2007 7:58 AM

5

finally! an airtight excuse that can explain away nearly any lapse in judgement that i might be called out on.

Posted by: tenspeed | November 28, 2007 6:27 PM

6

woah! that was a close one. i know of a parasite Microphalllus which controls the behavior of its snail host Potamopyrgus antipodarumand another, Blatillaria i guess which manipulates the behavior of another snail. articles are at http://scipdf.blogspot.com

Posted by: chammy | October 20, 2008 3:01 AM

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