Host-Parasite Interactions and Behavioral Manipulation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to host-parasite interactions, behavior manipulation, and specific examples of various parasitic organisms.

Host-parasite interaction

The relationship between a host organism and a parasitic organism, where the parasite benefits at the host's expense.

Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga

A Costa Rican parasitic wasp that lays eggs on the abdomen of the Spider Nephila spp. and alters its web-building behavior.

Toxoplasma gondii

A parasitic protozoan that affects behavior in rats by making them attracted to the odor of cats.

Oocyst

The resistant stage of Toxoplasma gondii for environmental transmission, shed in cat feces.

Dicrocoelium dendriticum

Known as the Lancet liver fluke, it alters the behavior of ants to increase its chances of transmission.

Life cycle

The series of stages and transformations that a parasite undergoes to complete its reproductive cycle.

Paragordius tricuspidatus

A horsehair worm that manipulates its insect host's behavior to seek water for reproduction.

Myrmeconema neotropicum

A nematode that makes infected ants resemble berries to attract fruit-eating birds.

Sacculina carcini

A parasitic barnacle that infects crabs, alters their morphology, and makes them care for its offspring.

Leucochloridium paradoxum

A parasitic flatworm that manipulates snail behavior to increase the likelihood of bird predation.

Glyptapanteles sp.

A parasitic wasp that lays eggs in caterpillars, causing the caterpillar to protect the pupating larvae.

Euhaplorchis californiensis

A fluke that changes the behavior of infected killifish to increase the likelihood of being eaten by birds.

Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

A nematode that changes the coloration of its insect hosts to avoid predation.

Ampulex compressa

The emerald cockroach wasp that manipulates cockroaches through venom and behavior modification.

Schistocephalus solidus

A bird tapeworm that affects its fish host's behavior, making them seek warmer waters.

Behavioral manipulation

The process by which a parasite alters the behavior of its host to facilitate the parasite's life cycle.

Chemical injection

The process by which a parasite affects the host's physiology, often altering behavior.

Herbivores

Animals that primarily consume plants and may be targeted by manipulated hosts.

Infestation

The state of being invaded or overrun by parasites.

Carnivore

A meat-eating animal that may prey on hosts manipulated by parasites.

Entomopathogenic nematodes

Nematodes that infect insect larva, often used for biological pest control.

Sporocyst

A developmental stage in Toxoplasma gondii that forms within host tissue.

Manipulative strategies

Tactics used by parasites to control host behavior for their benefit.

Intermediate host

Organisms that host a parasite for part of its life cycle, often necessary for parasite development.

Definitive host

The host in which a parasite reaches maturity and reproduces.

Asymptomatic

A condition in which a host does not exhibit symptoms despite being infected.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses; altered by parasites to manipulate behavior.

Larval stage

The juvenile form of a parasite that may not resemble the adult form.

Biological control agent

A natural predator or parasite used to control pest populations.

Behavior override

When a parasite manipulates the host's natural behavior for its benefit.

Life history strategies

The patterns of growth, reproduction, and mortality adopted by a species.

Coevolution

The process by which two or more species influence each other's evolutionary trajectory.

Parasite virulence

The degree of damage a parasite causes to its host.

Silk covering

A protective layer created by caterpillars for pupating parasitic larvae.

Predation risk

The likelihood of being preyed upon, which can be altered by parasite manipulation.

Host manipulation

The act of changing a host's behavior or physiology to ensure a parasite's survival.

Eyestalks

Appendages in snails that the Leucochloridium paradoxum parasite targets to attract bird predators.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with reward and behavior reinforcement; increased by some parasites.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood and behavior but can be decreased by certain parasites.

Feces transmission

The method of spreading a parasite through waste products of an infected host.

Egg-laying behavior

The reproductive act of depositing eggs, which can be influenced by parasitic infection.

Nervous system alteration

Changes to the host's nervous system induced by a parasite to manipulate behavior.

Evolutionary advantage

A trait that increases an organism's fitness within its environment, often manipulated by parasites.

Parasitic lifecycle

The stages a parasite undergoes from egg to maturity, often involving multiple host organisms.