5 Examples Of Parasites That Control The Mind Of Their Victims
Nature, although sometimes presented as an open book, still entails many unknowns for science. Scientists, explorers of these increasingly well-known environments, are responsible for answering these doubts and facilitating the survival of the human species, in addition to getting to know the rest of the beings and creatures with which we live. Across the vast animal complexity and diversity, one of the most intriguing groups is parasites.
Parasites are organisms that inhabit the body or organism of another animal, called a “host,” and that take advantage of it to feed and receive benefits. In addition to this, Many parasites manage to enter the minds of their hosts, causing them to change their attitude or behavior that benefits them in some way.
In this article, we will focus on these parasites that control the mind, discovering what they are and what their parasitic function is based on, and getting to know in depth five different examples or manifestations.
Before delving into specific examples of parasites that control the mind, it is important to understand what this peculiar and even macabre relationship between the parasite and its host consists of.
Mind-controlling parasites are organisms that have evolved to influence the behavior of their hosts in ways that increase their own chances of survival and reproduction The objectives of the parasites are found throughout the entire food chain of the animal kingdom, using lower-level animals to reach those of greater complexity and evolution. This influence can range from subtle alterations in host behavior to dramatic and seemingly self-destructive changes.
Most of these parasites develop an intense and specific adaptation to their hosts, and have developed a series of sophisticated strategies to manipulate them. Some use chemicals that affect the nervous system of their victims, while others can alter the hormonal balance or modify foraging patterns. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that the host is a suitable resource for the parasite, either by providing a suitable environment for its reproduction or by ensuring that the host is consumed by a predator that acts as the parasite’s final host.
This phenomenon is an astonishing testament to the complexity of biological relationships in nature and challenges us to reconsider our preconceptions about free will and control in the animal kingdom. Throughout the following sections, we will discover a whole network of species and parasites that come to take control of the behavior of their victims.
Examples of parasites capable of controlling the mind
Next, we will go on to elaborate each of the five examples that we are going to propose about parasites that control the behavior of their hosts and victims. Keep in mind that information is power, and knowing these parasites can help you prevent infection.
1. Borrelia
We begin our exploration of mind-controlling parasites with an intriguing microorganism called Borrelia. Although it is technically classified as a bacteria, Borrelia is the causative agent of Lyme disease, transmitted through ticks, and has a surprising impact on its host.
When a tick infected with Borrelia attaches to a host, such as a human, the bacteria enter the bloodstream. Borrelia It uses a variety of tactics to evade the immune system and, most notably, can change its shape and move through body tissues. These changes in bacterial morphology allow Borrelia avoid being destroyed by the immune system and spreading throughout the body.
This behavior results in a range of symptoms, from fever and fatigue to neurological problems, but what makes it even more intriguing is its ability to manipulate the host’s immune response. This, in turn, can affect the behavior of the infected person. Some researchers suggest that Lyme disease may influence the behavior of hosts, causing symptoms such as personality and mood changes leading to speculation about whether Borrelia is somehow “controlling” the mind of its host.
2. Leucochloridium paradoxum
This parasite belongs to the group of trematodes, a class of flatworms, and few stories are as strange and visually striking as its own. The life cycle of Leucochloridium It begins in the intestines of birds, where the eggs are excreted with feces. The snails then become the next link in the food chain by ingesting the eggs. Inside the snail, the eggs hatch, and the larvae Leucochloridium They develop into cystacercoids. This is where the story takes a surprising turn.
These spore-shaped larvae migrate to the snail’s ejector system, where they look for a way to exit the host’s body. However, to increase their chances of reaching the next definitive host, birds, they do something amazing. The larvae of Leucochloridium They show themselves on the horns of snails, giving them a strange and striking appearance, similar to a green worm Additionally, the pulsating larvae are irresistible to birds. The birds peck at the infected snails, releasing the larvae that eventually mature in their intestines.
This manipulative behavior of Leucochloridium is a stunning example of how a parasite can alter the appearance and behavior of its host to its benefit, thus ensuring its life cycle.
3. Reclinervellus nielseni
Reclinervellus nielseni is a parasite that demonstrates that host manipulation can reach microscopic levels and that even ants, social and hardworking creatures, are not exempt from being victims of this ingenious parasitic strategy. This small parasitoid belongs to the family Encyrtidae and specializes in parasitizing ants of the genus Camponotiniknown for being large and robust.
Its life begins when an adult female lays her eggs on a plant near an ant nest. The larvae hatch and are carried away by the ants, who take them inside the nest. Inside the nest, the larva Reclinervellus It adheres to the ant’s pupa, where its metamorphosis process begins.
However, what makes Reclinervellus What is truly amazing is its ability to control the development of the ant pupa. It secretes chemicals that manipulate the juvenile hormone gland of the pupa, leading to the arrest of the ant’s development, causing it to remain an immature larva , instead of becoming an adult ant. The larva of Reclinervellus It feeds on nutrients from the pupa, eventually emerging as an adult in the ant’s place.
4. Mushrooms Ophiocordyceps
The mushrooms Ophiocordyceps They are experts at taking control of their hosts, particularly ants. These fungal parasites have been immortalized in documentaries and video games for their macabre way of life.
The life cycle of Ophiocordyceps It begins when its spores land on the body of an ant. Once inside the insect’s body, the fungus begins to grow and branch, taking advantage of the host’s resources. As the fungus develops, its mycelium spreads throughout the ant’s body, consuming its internal tissues. By influencing the mind of the ant, Ophiocordyceps forces her to abandon her nest and climb a plant, where she clings tightly The ant eventually dies, and a long stem of the fungus rises from the base of its skull, releasing new spores to infect other ants.
This manipulation of the ant’s behavior by Ophiocordyceps is one of the most shocking examples of mind-controlling parasitism and has been immortalized in nature and popular culture. It shows how parasites can orchestrate almost magical control over the behavior of their hosts to ensure their own spread.
5. Myrmeconema neotropicum
The parasitoid Myrmeconema neotropicum is another striking example of how parasites can influence the behavior of their hosts in a highly specialized way. This small worm is a nematode that has adapted to parasitize a species of ant, Camponotini.
The life of Myrmeconema It begins when an adult female deposits her eggs in the flowers of a plant. The newly hatched larvae feed on the flower parts and are then picked up by the ants when they forage for food. The larvae of Myrmeconema They infiltrate the ant’s abdomen and begin their internal development. What makes this parasite truly exceptional is its influence on the behavior of the host ant.
As the larvae Myrmeconema As they grow, they release chemicals that alter the ant’s immune system, which protects them from attack by other ants. Furthermore, the larvae of Myrmeconemainduce changes in the ant, forcing it to stop foraging and return to the flowers Once there, the larvae emerge from the ant and fall to the ground, where they complete their development and become adults.
Conclusions
Parasites that control the mind can scare or intrigue us due to the general lack of knowledge about them. Throughout this article, we have learned about examples ranging from bacteria to fungi, each having unique strategies to manipulate their hosts. These cases reveal the extraordinary adaptation of nature and the complexity of these biological relationships.
The study of these types of parasites reminds us that, in the fight for survival, behavioral manipulation can be a powerful tool, challenging our understanding of autonomy in the animal kingdom.
