#parasitic — Public Fediverse posts

@nev it can happen that for example depending on the #mobility of the #beetle species and its #strategy to perform its #selfcleaning #behaviors that #phoretic and #parasitic #mites can be limited to small numbers only on an even relatively large #beetle. Most Scarabaeidae develop in #soilhabitats. But when it is #decayingwood or #compost, then this improves the probability that it has associations with phoretic mites. In beetles, #phoreticmites can sometimes be hidden under the elytrae.

#Parasitic plant convinces hosts to grow into its own flesh—it's also an extreme example of genome shrinkage https://phys.org/news/2023-09-parasitic-convinces-hosts-fleshit-extreme.html

#Balanophora #genomes display massively #ConvergentEvolution with other extreme #holoparasites and provide novel insights into parasite–host interactions https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-023-01517-7

"unlike some other #ParasiticPlants, Balanophora induces the vascular system of their host plant to grow into a tuber, forming a unique underground organ with mixed host-parasite tissue."

#Scientists show how #parasites turn marsh-dwelling brown #crustaceans into neon zombies https://phys.org/news/2023-08-scientists-parasites-marsh-dwelling-brown-shrimp.html

#ParasiteManipulation of host phenotypes inferred from transcriptional analyses in a #trematode-#amphipod system https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mec.17093

"#SaltMarshes are home to tiny crustaceans called amphipods that keep a low profile... But when amphipods are infected with a #parasitic #worm, they turn bright orange and lose their tendency to run for cover when exposed."