PARASITE-MEDIATED MIMICRY: “Dramatic changes in the appearance and behavior of nematode-parasitized ants such that they resemble ripe fruits…Unlike healthy ants, which are completely black, infected ants have bright red, berry-like gasters full of parasite eggs. The infected gasters are held in a conspicuous elevated position.” Birds eat the infected ants, the parasite eggs pass through the body and the feces are collected by ants who feed it to their young, thus completing the cycle (C. Atratus).
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linkedin post 2022-06-29 05:12:48
Nigel Fleming
September 21, 2022