Parasitic Mind Control | Discussion

Running head: PARASITIC MIND CONTROL
Parasitic mind control
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PARASITIC MIND CONTROL1
Introduction
Parasitism is the structural adaptation of some organisms to live or depend on
the mechanisms of another organism, causing the host organism some harm.
Parasites possess the ability to control the behavioural activities of their hosts
in their personal favours, which has gained significant interest of scientists.
This paper discusses the manipulation of parasitic fungi, Ophiocordyceps
unilateralis on its host ants, Camponotus leonardi. This interaction is
supported by another example of a similar interaction between the parasitic
lycaenid butterflies, Narathura japonica and their effects on the host ants,
Pristomyrmex punctatus.
Discussion
A study conducted by Hughes et al. (2011) demonstrates that some parasitic
fungi such as the Ophiocordyceps unilateralisalter the navigational system of
their ant hosts, Camponotus leonardi. These fungi secrete transmitters that can
alter the navigational processing of the host ant species of Camponotus
leonardi. The fungi begin the infection by attaching its spores to the cuticle of
the host ants. These attached spores germinate on the body of the host ant and
break into the system of the host through the host trachea. The mycelia of the
parasitic fungi grow and develop inside the system of the ant by feeding on the
internal organs of the ant except for the vital organs. Subsequently, the fungi
release some unidentified substances into the ant’s system which controls the
navigational behaviour of the host ants causing the host ant to move towards
the apical parts of a plant or a tree and clamp to the tip of one of the leaves

PARASITIC MIND CONTROL2
with the help of its mandibles. This behaviour of the host ants in not observed
in the absence of the parasitic infection by Ophiocordyceps sp. Meanwhile, the
fungus engages itself in the production of its spores. After the production of a
significant number of spores, the fungus ultimately ingests the brain of the ant,
thereby killing it. Within three days of the host ant’s death, post-mortem
growth of the fungus begins by emanating enormous hyphae from the
membranes of segments and stalk formation at the back of the host’s head.
These air-borne capsules discharge the spores on their descent, distributing the
spores to the environment. These spores again, infect the host ants and hence,
the cycle of infection is repeated.
In the interactivity between the parasitic fungi Ophiocordyceps sp. and its host
ant Camponotus leonardi, the manipulation of the parasite-induced suicidal
behaviour in the host ant and costs the host ant its life. In contrast, the fungal
parasite O. unilateralis benefits from the interaction utilizing the host ant’s
mechanisms for its metabolism and moving the host ant towards the optimum
conditions of light and humidity required for the germination of the fungal
spores (Libersat, Kaiser & Emanuel, 2018).
Camponotus leonardi, the principal host of O. unilateralis has provided
evidence of adaptive behaviours to control the fungal infection by limiting the
contact with the forest floor as a defence mechanism against the fungal
parasites. Moreover, in the regions of existence of O. unilateralis, the host and
sets up a high, elevated nest in the canopy, and increases its network of aerial
trails. However, often the ant trails have to descend to the forest floors as the
gaps of the canopies are difficult to cross. On descending to the forest floor,