In the tranquil waters of Hampshire lurks a mind controlling parasite which will urge you to commit suicide. If you’re a shrimp.
New research has revealed that shrimps in Langstone Harbour, Portsmouth, are infected with a new species of worm-like parasite which compels them to swim up and towards light, into danger areas where they can be more easily eaten by birds.
While this is not a great result for the shrimp, it is exactly what the parasite needs. The life cycle of the parasite requires it to end up as bird food. Once ingested by the bird it releases its releases its eggs in the birds’ faeces, starting off a whole new cycle.
The new and as yet unmade parasite species has just been discovered by scientists at the University of Portsmouth.
The parasite releases the neuro-chemical, serotonin, in the shrimp which alters its brain, radically reversing its normal survival instinct to remain in deeper dark water.
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Serotonin is a neurochemical that controls behaviour in all animals, though the reaction to swim towards light seems to be unique to crustaceans.
In humans serotonin promotes feelings of happiness and well-being, and as a result is used to treat the effects of depression.
Alex Ford, who led the research published today in the Parasitology Journal, said: “This is the first study to specifically measure which genes linked to serotonin are altered to produce changes in behaviour. In treating depression in humans, doctors tend to use inhibitors to block or delay the re-absorption of serotonin. However, these parasites are controlling levels of serotonin in a completely unique way that we still don’t fully understand. It is possible they offer a clue into new ways of using and regulating serotonin ”.
The discovery of this new parasite species within an existing animal is likely to represent just the tip of the icerberg when it comes to identifying new microscopic species. Future discoveries are likely to reveal further mind altering parasites which act to change the behaviour of animals.
“It’s really exciting to find a new species packaged inside familiar ones that we already know about. I expect that the shores around the UK will be harbouring other parasites that are currently completely unknown to science,” said Dr Ford.