Comments

1
The sacculina barnacle would seem to lie at an intersection of your interests:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacculina
2
In my own readings on T.gondii, I found discussion that the flu virus allegedly makes us more social and likely to go out -- during our most contagious period before flu symptoms have manifested. Here's the article in the Atlantic.
3
Thanks for the follow up.

When I first learned about toxoplasmosis, it caused me to question a lot of my preconceived notions regarding why I like the things that I like and dislike others. What sort of microscopic biological/organic/chemical reactions were happening that made my brain decide at some base level that I like or dislike something?

It's difficult to not slip into nihilistic lines of thought when one considers that ALL of our preferences and aversions may come down to either active infections, or vestigial bits of DNA from exposure to microbes that was left permanently in our ancestors' DNA and passed down to us.

We seem but mere puppets under the control of otherwise brainless, single-celled organisms.
4
I like the Cowbird. Because it needs to follow herds to feed, it lays eggs in other birds nests. It doesn't infect a host to change it's behavior but uses other birds instincts and behaviors. And it's chicks are bigger than the others in the nest, so it can push the other nestlings out. Then the birds feed the Cowbird chick as if it's their own.
5
We aren't robots or zombies for parasites or single-celled organisms, but to their genes. This no more makes us puppets than being robots for "our" genes.
6
From what I read toxoplasmosis makes mice more likely to take risky chances. And the result of taking these chances is a greater likelihood of getting eaten and infecting a cat. And previous studies show that people who are infected take greater chances as well, and are more likely to have car accidents.

Please wait...

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