How parasitic Gordian worms cut the Gordian knot: a novel solution to predation upon the host

Abstract

As prisoners in their living habitat, parasites should be vulnerable to destruction by the predators of their hosts. But we show here that the parasitic gordian worm Paragordius tricuspidatus is able to escape not only from its insect host after ingestion by a fish or frog but also from the digestive tract of the predator. This remarkable tactic enables the worm to continue its life cycle.

Publication
In Nature
David Duneau
David Duneau
PhD in Evolutionary parasitology

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