The parasite Moniliformis moniliformis alters the escape response of its cockroach host Periplaneta americana

F. Libersat, J. Moore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The immature stages of some parasites live in prey animals (intermediate hosts) and only reach reproductive maturity when they are eaten by final host predators. Some of these parasites alter intermediate host behavior in ways that increase the likelihood of predation (parasite transmission). Using the acanthocephalan (Moniliformis moniliformis) in the cockroach (Periplaneta americana), we show that infected cockroaches experienced a decrease in wind-evoked escape responses, a predator avoidance behavior, that consisted of fewer escape responses, longer latency and higher threshold for escape behavior. We found no correlates of the impairment of the escape behavior in the abdominal portion of the escape neuronal circuitry. This study demonstrates a parasite-induced alteration of a behavior dedicated to predator avoidance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-110
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Insect Behavior
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2000

Keywords

  • Acanthocephalan
  • Cockroach
  • Escape
  • Giant interneurons
  • Parasite

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Insect Science

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