Article
With the dead under the mat: the zombie ant extended phenotype under a new perspective.
Die Naturwissenschaften - 21 Jun 2024
Andriolli Fernando Sarti, Cardoso Neto José Aragão, de Morais José Wellington, Baccaro Fabricio Beggiato
Abstract excerpt
Some parasitic fungi can increase fitness by modifying the behavior of their hosts. These behaviors are known as extended phenotypes because they favor parasitic gene propagation. Here, we studied three lineages of Ophiocordyceps, a fungus that infects ants, altering their conduct before death. According to fungal strategy, ants may die in leaf litter, with entwined legs in branches, under the moss mat, or biting...
Read the complete abstract on PubMedTopics
Share this publication in a Topic to start or enrich a Post.