Biology 338: Lecture 22Spring 1997

Parasites and Behavior

  1. Parasite-host coevolution
    1. Parasites
    2. Hosts
    3. Conventional wisdom
    4. Reality

  2. Parasite-induced modifications of host behavior
    1. Altered activity
      1. Plasmodium
      2. Schistosoma
      3. Horse-hair worm
    2. Increased conspicuousness
      1. Dicrocoelium
      2. Leucochloridium
      3. Acanthocephalan
      4. Acanthocephalan
      5. Acanthocephalan
    3. Inhibited evasive responses
      1. Schistocephalus
      2. Hymenolepis

  3. Host countermeasures to parasites and their behavioral modifications
    1. Preventing infection
    2. Parasite removal
    3. Suicide

  4. Parasites and host reproduction
    1. Evolution of sex
    2. Elaborate ornaments/courtship rituals used in mate choice
    3. Castration
    4. Accelerated reproductions

  5. Host benefits (??)