These parasites are capable of transgender and controlling other species

When infected with parasites, these host species are often controlled to the point of losing control, sometimes to death.

When infected with parasites, these host species are often controlled to the point of losing control, sometimes to death.

Few people suspect that, in the animal world, there exist some parasites that depend not only on their hosts but also in their behavior and physiology as well as in killing the lives of the animals they are 'Live'.

1. Sacculina transforms the sex of crabs

The first Sacculina carcass is a larva that floats along the water stream, but when the host is found, the female larvae will begin the transformation process by clinging to the lower body of the crab and causing the apricot. Its bent. After that, she spread a kind of root-like tentacle over the host and used this tour to search for food.

Picture 1 of These parasites are capable of transgender and controlling other species

After a while, Sacculina males will find their offspring and mate. The couple gave birth to their children without stopping. At this moment, the male crab became a reluctant servant and began taking care of Sacculina's eggs as if it were his eggs.

When the parasite "poisoned" male crabs, it began to sterilize the host and flattened the abdomen, and forced the crabs to secrete some hormones to behave like female crabs, even dancing dances. The tune is only for females.

2. Euhaplorchis californiensis worm catches fish dancing

The worm Euhaplorchis californiensis began the life of the parasite on the slugs of the salt marsh in southern California. In the host's body, they begin to give birth to babies and then look for small fish to eat larvae for further parasites.

Picture 2 of These parasites are capable of transgender and controlling other species

Once you reach the new victim, the worm Euhaplorchis californiensis will pay in the gills and find its way to the animal's brain and create a thin layer that looks like a carpet there.

They begin to secrete substances that penetrate the fish's brain system. Small fish will then perform different dances and be 'more dynamic' than usual. Therefore, they are capable of being attacked by birds 10 to 30 times higher than normal.

Inside the bird has just been poisoned by fish, eggs Euhaplorchis californiensis along the way waste flows out and are consumed by snails, continuing the parasitic life.

3. The Heterorhabditis bacteriophora worm protects the host

Heterorhabditis bacteriophora is a porous earthworm specialist. Unlike other parasites that harm hosts, this worm protects the animal they parasitize by threatening predators.

Picture 3 of These parasites are capable of transgender and controlling other species

When this worm infects the worm larvae, they change the color of the host from white to red. This color is like a warning to predators.

In fact, it has been shown that insect-feeding crows often avoid red ones. Parasitic worms need to live with bugs, so they must try to protect their hosts if they don't want to lose their lives.

4. Hornets catch spider silk

Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga is the name of the Costa Rican wasps . They are known to be the carvings of spiders Plesiometa argyra. Every time the birth comes, the hornets will go looking for spiders Plesiometa argyra.

Picture 4 of These parasites are capable of transgender and controlling other species

With just one bite, hornets can completely paralyze spiders and leisurely transmit the hornets larvae into them. Since then, spiders of Plesiometa argyra will feed the wasps larvae and do not expect to be "sucked in".

After a few weeks, spiders Plesiometa argyra will voluntarily build a large spider web but have a completely different structure than before. The ill-fated host is now sitting motionless on his spider web and waiting for the wasps to finish his life.

5. Toxoplasma protozoa 'frantic' mice

Picture 5 of These parasites are capable of transgender and controlling other species

Cats and rats are not in common. In fact, born mice can recognize the smell of urine of cats and run away when they smell this smell. However, when infected with the Toxoplasma parasite - the mouse will lose its instinct to fear cats.

Worse, Toxoplasma parasites also make mice attracted by the smell of cat urine. Moreover, this single-celled parasite also "induces" the host to visit the cat, so it is easily eaten again. At this point, the Toxoplasma parasite will complete its life inside the cat's body.

6. Round worms of grasshoppers and crickets

Picture 6 of These parasites are capable of transgender and controlling other species

Spinochordodes tellinii is a nematode worm that specializes in grasshoppers and crickets. As an adult, parasitic worms live in ponds, lakes and spawning in spiral form to help poison the crickets and grasshoppers when drinking water here.

The nematode then grows inside the host's body. Once large enough, they secrete a substance capable of destroying the nervous system, causing locusts and crickets to rush into the nearest water and drown. This worm causes the host to stab into the dead and jump to start a new cycle with the next victim.

Update 17 December 2018
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