Evolution of parasite-induced behavioral alterations.
Résumé
Parasite-induced alteration of host behavioral phenotypes is a widespread strategy of host exploitation among pathogens. It has been reported in viruses, fungi bacteria, protozoans, nematodes nematomorpha, trematodes cestodes, acanthocephalans, and parasitoids. Behavioral changes displayed by parasitized hosts can vary greatly in their magnitude, from slight shifts in the percentage of time spent in performing a given activity to the production of complex and spectacular behaviors. For evolutionary biologists, determining why and how this strategy of host exploitation evolves is a fascinating but complex research topic.