A tapeworm infects worker ants and makes them live several times longer by turning their bodies more like
Research reveals that the tapeworm Anomotaenia brevis significantly extends the lifespan of Temnothorax nylanderi worker ants through metabolic alteration.
The obvious questions
Which species of ant is affected?
The species affected is Temnothorax nylanderi.
What parasite causes these changes?
The tapeworm Anomotaenia brevis is responsible for the infection.
How does the infection alter the ant's body?
The infection shifts the ant's metabolism to resemble that of a queen and causes the host to develop a yellowish coloration.
The story so far
Infected worker ants exhibit an increased lifespan compared to their uninfected counterparts. The process involves the tapeworm altering the host's body and metabolic functions, which coverage describes as similar to those observed in queen ants.
Coverage from Scientific Frontline, EurekAlert!, ScienceAlert, Phys.org, and The Times of India emphasizes that the parasite facilitates genetic changes in the host. Reports note that the infected ants display a distinct yellowish coloration and may influence the behavior of other ants in the colony.
The scope of these physiological changes remains a subject of ongoing study. Future coverage is expected to provide further detail on the mechanisms behind the reported behavioral manipulation and the long-term impact of this infection on colony dynamics.
Synthesized by headlinez.news from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 45d ago.
The reporting (5)
- Tapeworms Extend Ant Lifespans via Genetic Changes Scientific Frontline · 46d ago
- A worker ant of the species Temnothorx nylanderi infected with the tapeworm Anomotaenia brevis, recognizable by its yellowish coloration, alongside an uninfected worker EurekAlert! · 46d ago
- A Wild Parasite Makes Ants Live Longer And Tricks Others Into Worshipping Them. Scientists Finally Know How. ScienceAlert · 46d ago
- Tapeworm hijacks worker ants, giving them queen-like metabolism and longer lives Phys.org · 46d ago
- A tapeworm infects worker ants and makes them live several times longer by turning their bodies more like The Times of India · 46d ago
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