It’s a familiar scenario these days: You
get infected by some horrible parasite, and before you know it, you’re munching
on your peers. That’s modern living for you.
Well, if you’re a shrimp, anyway.
But before we start shouting, “Zombie apocalypse
in your seafood platter,” let’s be a little circumspect here.
First, according to Science Daily, the
shrimp concerned are a little freshwater species from Northern Ireland which are
rather unlikely to end up in your scampi. Second, even uninfected individuals
of this species are at least occasional cannibals anyway. And finally, it’s far
from certain that the parasite is actually taking over an infected shrimp’s
nervous system, bending it to its will.
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| She knew those prawns hadn't tasted right |
For the moment at least, researchers are
tending towards the conclusion that the dietary change in sick shrimp is simply
due to the limitations infection has placed on them: Their muscles are so
loaded with the parasite that they can’t move them properly. So they can’t hunt
effectively. As a result, they are forced to pick more and more on younger,
smaller individuals of their own species.
And the fact they’re more voracious? Parasites
will tend to trigger such behaviour – they’re taking the food meant for the
host, so said host naturally has to eat more.
Case closed. At least for now.....
Read the original article HERE.
The Aquaculturists
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