This arboreal #ant has been infected by parasitic nematodes that have turned its abdomen bright red. The color attracts foraging birds which pluck off the abdomen thinking it is a ripe berry and the nematodes are dispersed throughout the forest in the birds’ droppings. This ant species forages on bird droppings, so the nematodes are quickly transmitted to a new colony. Photo by @anandavarma in #Panama for @natgeo and selected by @worldpressphoto15 as part of the #Mindsuckers story. @natgeocreative @thephotosociety #parasitesarecool #WTFevolution
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