Anomotaenia brevis
Anomotaenia brevis | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Platyhelminthes |
Class: | Cestoda |
Order: | Cyclophyllidea |
Family: | Dilepididae |
Genus: | Anomotaenia |
Species: | A. brevis
|
Binomial name | |
Anomotaenia brevis (Clerc 1902)
|
Anomotaenia brevis is a tapeworm which has been found to be one of many parasite species able to manipulate their host's behavior.[1] Host manipulation is commonly observed in parasites with complex life cycles reliant on multiple hosts for development.[2] While the definitive host for A. brevis is the woodpecker, their intermediate host is the Temnothorax nylanderi, a species of ant located in the oak forests of western Europe. The tapeworm alters the appearance and behavior of the T. nylanderi ant in order to ensure transmission to the woodpecker, where it can complete its life cycle.[1]
The tapeworm affects the behavior, life history, and morphology of the T. nylanderi ant, as well as indirectly affects its uninfected nest-mates.