What behavioral alteration is induced in the ant by *D. dendriticum* metacercariae to facilitate transmission?
Answer
Causing it to climb to the tip of vegetation ("summiting")
The life cycle of *Dicrocoelium dendriticum* involves a remarkable manipulation of the second intermediate host, the ant (*Formica fusca*). The developing parasites, as metacercariae, interfere with the ant's central nervous system. This manipulation causes the infected ant to exhibit a behavior known as "summiting," where it climbs to the highest point available, such as the tip of a blade of grass, often early in the morning dew. This behavior serves as an advertisement, dramatically increasing the likelihood that the infected ant will be accidentally ingested by the final grazing definitive host.
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