Natures wonders: complex life of liver fluke (Introduction)

by David Turell , Monday, September 18, 2023, 18:23 (430 days ago) @ David Turell

Featuring zombie ants:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/09/230917181545.htm

"It takes over the brains of ants, causing them to cling to the tops of blades of grass where they can be eaten by cattle and deer. The common liver fluke has an exceptional life cycle as it moves through snails, ants and grass-grazing herbivores. And now, researchers from the University of Copenhagen know a bit more about the workings of this tiny parasite. The new knowledge adds to our understanding of parasites, which could be the most widespread life form on Earth.

***

"'Getting the ants high up in the grass for when cattle or deer graze during the cool morning and evening hours, and then down again to avoid the sun's deadly rays, is quite smart. Our discovery reveals a parasite that is more sophisticated than we originally believed it to be," explains Associate Professor Brian Lund Fredensborg, who conducted the study.

***

"They then observed the infected ants' behavior in relation to light, humidity, time of day and temperature. It was clear that temperature had an effect on ant behavior. When the temperature was low, the ants were more likely to be attached to the top of a blade of grass. When the temperature rose, the ants relinquished the grass and crawled back down.

"'We found a clear correlation between temperature and ant behavior. We joked about having found the ants' zombie switch," says Brian Lund Fredensborg.

"Once the liver fluke infects the ant, several hundred parasites invade the ant's body. But only one makes its way to the brain, where it can influence the ant's behavior. The rest of the liver flukes conceal themselves in the ant's abdomen.

"'Here, there can be hundreds of liver flukes waiting for the ant to get them into their next host. They are wrapped in a capsule which protects them from the consequent host's stomach acid, while the liver fluke that took control of the ant, dies. You could say that it sacrifices itself for the others," explains Brian Lund Fredensborg.

"Animals infected with many liver flukes can suffer liver damage as the parasite moves around the host's liver and bile ducts."

Comment: How did this complex lifestyle develop? Darwinism doesn't explain.