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<p>Parasites enhance their fitness by manipulating host dispersal. However, the strategies used by ectoparasites to influence host movement and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we show that ectoparasites alter metabolic activity in specific brain regions of mice, with evidence pointing to a potential role for microglial activation in the prefrontal cortex. This activation appears to contribute to synaptic changes and altered neuronal differentiation, particularly in GABAergic neurons. Consequently, exploratory behavior decreases—an effect likely mediated through the skin–brain axis. In both indoor and field experiments with striped hamsters, ectoparasites reduce host exploration and modify their dispersal patterns. This behavioral shift ultimately restricts the host’s distribution, enabling parasites to avoid environmental pressures. Our findings reveal that ectoparasites limit host dispersal to improve their own fitness, offering key insights for parasite control strategies that promote health and preserve ecological stability within the One Health framework.</p>

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Ectoparasites enhance survival by suppressing host exploration and limiting dispersal

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年5月9日

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  • Pengbo Liu,
  • Dongsheng Ren,
  • Guichang Li,
  • Xiaoming Xu,
  • Luca Presotto,
  • Wei Liu,
  • Ning Zhao,
  • Dongmei Li,
  • Min Chen,
  • Jun Wang,
  • Xiaobo Liu,
  • Chunchun Zhao,
  • Liang Lu,
  • Qiyong Liu

摘要

Parasites enhance their fitness by manipulating host dispersal. However, the strategies used by ectoparasites to influence host movement and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we show that ectoparasites alter metabolic activity in specific brain regions of mice, with evidence pointing to a potential role for microglial activation in the prefrontal cortex. This activation appears to contribute to synaptic changes and altered neuronal differentiation, particularly in GABAergic neurons. Consequently, exploratory behavior decreases—an effect likely mediated through the skin–brain axis. In both indoor and field experiments with striped hamsters, ectoparasites reduce host exploration and modify their dispersal patterns. This behavioral shift ultimately restricts the host’s distribution, enabling parasites to avoid environmental pressures. Our findings reveal that ectoparasites limit host dispersal to improve their own fitness, offering key insights for parasite control strategies that promote health and preserve ecological stability within the One Health framework.