PrebusJan 10, 2024

1/2 We (re)rediscovered Manica parasitica in the Sierra Nevada. Originally, this ant species was thought to be a free-loading parasite that uses the nests and brood care of its host Manica bradleyi for its own survival.

Instead, "Manica parasitica" is tapeworm-infested Manica bradleyi.

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2023.0399

#Manica #ants #insects #parasites #sierranevada

Show threadPrebusJan 10, 2024

2/2 We also confirmed the observation made by the Wheelers back in the '60s that Manica parasitica is really "shaky". Maybe this is an "adaptive manipulation" by the parasite?

#Manica #ants #insects #parasites #sierranevada

Show threadnaturepokerJan 11, 2024
@mprebus oh this is amazing. Taxon difference turns out to be parasitical infection. Would you be isolating and sequencing the tapeworm at some point?
Show threadPrebus
@naturepoker Yes! We have some Illumina data already, but we haven't analyzed it yet.
Jan 11, 2024 at 11:36pmWeb
Show threadnaturepokerJan 11, 2024
@mprebus absolutely looking forward to your paper!