Cockroach hosts in thermal gradients suppress parasite development

摘要: Cockroaches parasitized by the temperature-sensitive acanthocephalan Moniliformis moniliformis exhibit a variety of behavioral alterations, so we asked if cockroaches defended themselves against parasite with altered thermal choices. We tested null hypothesis that infected M. do not alter temperature choice in two ways: direct observation and, indirectly, development after prolonged developmental period. When compared were allowed to use gradients held at constant temperatures, found cockroach species (Supella longipalpa and Blatta orientalis), was greatly retarded, result is consistent spending time cold temperatures. Parasitized animals alterations can have profound effects on transmission host well-being; neither beneficiaries those nor are easily predictable.