Luis' Memo

There are some parasites that have the ability to control their hosts. It's basic knowledge among biologists but not much is known as to how the parasites do it. Studying these parasites specifically might reveal some clues to as to how the powers of the Las Plagas work. And perhaps provide more insight on the victimes of the Las Plagas, the Los Ganados. Here is a list of some of the parasites that have the ability to manipulate the behavioral patterns of their host. Dicrocoelium = Once the larvae of this parasite migrates to the ant's esophagus, it alters the behavior of the ant. When then temperature drops in the evening, the infected ant climbs to the top of a plant and clamps onto a leaf using its mandible. It stays there immobile until the next morning, placing the ant where it's most vulnerable to be eaten by a browsing herbivore such as sheep. One could conclude that the parasite is manipulating the host's behavior to its way into the body of its definitive host. Galactosomum = The larvae of this parasite makes its home inside the brain of a fish such as the yellowtail and the parrot bass. Once infected, the fish make their way up to the water's surface where they'll swim until eaten by seabirds. Once again, the peculiar behavior can only be explained by the parasite's desire to get into the bodies of the seabirds. Leucochlordium = This parasite's sporcysts develop in the snail's tentacles. The sporocysts are vivid in colour and pulsate continually somewhat like a wfrm. Surprisingly the infected snail makes its way to the top of a plant where it is most visible to the eyes of birds, therefore more likely to be eaten. Once eaten by a bird, the parasite will complete its metamorphosis into an adult.