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Worker ants infected with parasites live longer, their bodies changed to resemble those of queen ants.
Worker ants infected with tapeworms live many times longer than normal workers, and some of their body functions become similar to those of queen ants.
This does not mean that the parasite makes the ant healthy, but is most likely a manipulation to transfer it to the next host, a woodpecker.
Which ants did you compare?
Researchers divided ants in a forest near Mainz, Germany into queen ants, infected worker ants, and uninfected worker ants. We compared which genes operate in the brain and abdominal tissues important for metabolism and immunity.
What has changed in your body?
The abdominal tissue of infected worker ants resembles that of queen ants, with some metabolic, immune, stress, and aging-related activities. The brain produces fewer signals that regulate behavior and activity.
Why do they make you live long?
This tapeworm uses ants as an intermediate host and grows into an adult in a woodpecker. Ants that move less and live longer may increase their chances of being caught by birds.
What is the difference in life expectancy?
Queens of this species can live up to 20 years, while worker ants usually live one to two years. In previous observations, the survival rate of infected worker ants was close to that of queen ants. This study looked for the molecular changes that accompanied the phenomenon.
What do you not know yet?
The study identified differences in gene activity but did not confirm which changes were directly responsible for the actual longer lifespan. There is also no evidence that tapeworms mimic ants’ signaling substances. The results are not directly applicable to human aging or parasite infections.