Parasite from cat faeces killed four sea otters in California
22 March 2023
An unusually virulent strain of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, primarily found in cat faeces, has been reported in marine animals for the first time
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Premium
Odd parasitic plant with fleshy flowers identified as new species
18 January 2023
A review of hydnora plants has identified one new species based on preserved specimens and reinstated two others, bringing the total number to 10
Oldest known parasite is a worm-like animal from 512 million years ago
2 June 2020
Hundreds of fossil animals that lived more than 500 million years ago had worm-like objects attached to them – the oldest hard evidence of parasitism
Animal that doesn't need oxygen to survive discovered
24 February 2020
All animals rely on oxygen at least at some stage of their life, but a parasite that infects fish seems to have completely lost the ability to use it – where it gets its energy from is still a mystery
Lizards keep evolving toxic green blood and we don't know why
16 May 2018
All the green-blooded lizards in the world live in New Guinea, but it turns out the trait has evolved there independently at least four times
I tried ingesting rat tapeworm parasites and my poo turned green
7 August 2017
With the news that a worm product is being considered for approval as a food ingredient in Germany, Andy Coghlan decided to try out a parasite product
Parasitic worm eggs may soon be legally sold as food in Germany
7 August 2017
Thousands have been infecting themselves with parasites to treat conditions like depression and multiple sclerosis, but we don’t yet know if it works
Birds use cigarette butts for chemical warfare against ticks
26 June 2017
Urban house finches incorporate more fibres from cigarette butts into their nests if they have live ticks in them, suggesting the toxic chemicals in the butts may deter the parasites
Ticks use sticky pads on their feet to cling on to our skin
31 May 2017
Microscopy images reveal how tick parasites use specialised sticky pads and bendable claws to stick to their hosts while they suck blood
Parasite living inside fish eyeball controls its behaviour
4 May 2017
Young parasites make their fish hosts extra careful – but once they mature they do all they can to ensure the fish are eaten by a bird to complete their life cycle
