F. Libersat et J. Moore, The parasite Moniliformis moniliformis alters the escape response of its cockroach host Periplaneta americana, J INSECT B, 13(1), 2000, pp. 103-110
The immature stages of some parasites live in prey animals (intermediate ho
sts) and only reach reproductive maturity when they are eaten by final host
predators. Some of these parasites alter intermediate host behavior in way
s that increase the likelihood of predation (parasite transmission). Using
the acanthocephalan (Moniliformis moniliformis) in the cockroach (Periplane
ta 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 i
n the abdominal portion of the escape neuronal circuitry. This study demons
trates a parasite-induced alteration of a behavior dedicated to predator av
oidance.