Behavioral Ecology: Manipulative Mutualism

David P Hughes

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.07.067

Behavioral Ecology: Manipulative Mutualism

Curr Biol. 2015 Sep 21;25(18):R806-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.07.067.

Author

David P Hughes¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institute for Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA. Electronic address: dhughes@psu.edu.

PMID: 26394105
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.07.067

Abstract

A new study reveals that an apparent mutualism between lycaenid caterpillars and their attendant ants may not be all it seems, as the caterpillars produce secretions that modify the brains and behavior of their attendant ants.

Publication types

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MeSH terms

Animals
Ants / physiology*
Behavior, Animal / physiology*
Butterflies / physiology*
Symbiosis*