Altering the alpha: A parasite is helping some wolves become leaders of the pack

<p>What does it take to become leader of the pack? For wolves in Yellowstone National Park, research shows it might be exposure to a cat-centric parasite.</p> <p><a href="https://missoulian.com/news/local/alpha-cyst-cat-parasite-may-drive-wolves-to-pack-leadership/article_9985e752-3f71-5206-bd6a-55154c945b1e.html">A recent study by University of Montana and Yellowstone biologists</a> found a remarkable thing about toxoplasma gondii– a single-celled parasite that can survive in almost any warm-blooded animal but only reproduces in felines. It turns out that wolves infected with toxo, as the biologists nickname it, appears to turn wolves into risk-takers. That means they’re more likely to disperse to other packs, and WAY more likely to become leaders of new packs than uninfected wolves. </p> <p>The study adds to a growing body of evidence indicating that some parasites may have a real ability to change minds – including human minds. </p> <p>On this episode, Rob Chaney, editor of the Missoulian newspaper discusses these</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>