Behavior-altering parasite
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Behavior-altering parasites are parasites capable of causing changes in the behavior of their hosts species to enhance their transmission, sometimes directly affecting the hosts' decision-making and b
Toxoplasma gondii induces behavioral changes in rats by infecting central nervous system neurons.
Snail with its left eye stalk parasitized by Leucochloridium paradoxum.
A long horsehair worm shortly after emerging from its cricket host, now drowned
Emerald cockroach wasp "walking" a paralyzed cockroach to its burrow.
Toxoplasma gondii
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Toxoplasma gondii is a species of parasitic alveolate that causes toxoplasmosis. Found worldwide, T. gondii is capable of infecting virtually all warm-blooded animals, but members of the cat family ar
Behavior-altering parasite
…of the parasites or their offspring. Among the behavioral changes caused by parasites is carelessness, making their hosts easier prey. The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, for example, infects small rodents and causes them to become careless and may cause them to become attracted to the smell of cat urine, both of which…
Dividing T. gondii parasites
T. gondii oocysts in a fecal flotation
T. gondii tissue cyst in a mouse brain. Individual bradyzoites can be seen within.
An unstained T. gondii tissue cyst. Bradyzoites can be seen within.