Attack of the clones? Scientists think this is the first known example of a soldier caste in flatworms.
might just be the ultimate parasite given its ability to generate an army of clones whose only purpose is to attack other parasites competing for space inside a host. In this image, severalis far from a household name. But scientists have just discovered a diabolical strategy these microscopic parasites use against their enemies that’s never been seen before.
Competition from other parasites inside the host can be fierce. As many as 38 different kinds of trematodes have been known to inhabit these freshwater mollusks., the flatworms can create an army of highly aggressive warriors with exceptionally tiny bodies, massive mouths, and just one purpose—to locate other species of flatworms, latch onto their sides, and vacuum their guts out.
“Their mouthparts are five times larger than what is seen in any of the other worms in the colony, but their body size is only five percent ,” saysWhy should you care about a war between parasites inside of a snail? Well, human lives might depend on who wins that battle., the journey begins with a snail, but progresses to fishes before finally infecting birds and mammals.
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