Tapeworm makes ants live longer by altering genetics

Worker ants of the species Temnothorax nylanderi infected with the tapeworm Anomotaenia brevis live several times longer than normal workers, matching queen lifespan.

The tapeworm alters the ant's gene expression in the brain and fat body to mimic queen-like biology, extending lifespan.

Research led by Professor Susanne Foitzik at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz used RNA sequencing to compare healthy queens, uninfected workers, and infected workers.