Genuine Puzzles In Biology?

What is the prevailing theory about how this fungus evolved the characteristic of controlling it's hosts behaviour in such a specific manner?There are other virus that effect rats in such a way as to increase it's chances of being eaten by a cat. I think there is another that effects fish in such a way that they will be eaten by a bird. Could rabies be said to be doing the same type of thing to it's hosts?Another question is how does genetic memory or instinct occur? Why am I instinctively afraid of spiders and snakes and heights? I see how being afraid of dangerous things is helpful but how do my genes remember that from previous encounters in other generations?

Yes that describes the characteristic and the mechanism. Perhaps the answer is in the question. It evolved.It is just that it strikes me as such a fantastic culmination of coincidental events. Edited by Dogmafood, : add quote

Yes. That is the question.

Thanks for the reply Akhlut.I realize that most of my questions are only a genuine puzzle to me. I think what bewilders me the most is trying to imagine the circuitous evolutionary route that this fungus has taken.Is there evidence that we actually have instinctive fears? I recall a study that showed children are naturally wary of heights but I wonder if fear of snakes and spiders are not a learned behavior. I have taught my kids not to be afraid of the little critters but I can't remember what their initial reaction to them was.A little off topic perhaps but if our behavior and choices are a result of hormone floods and chemical reaction to stimuli what room does this leave for the concept of 'free will'? Why do I like vanilla ice cream? Why do I find my wife attractive?