Fungus Overlords

Turns out, zombies exist! Well.. not necessarily. Zombie Ants are carpenter ants living in Thailand's rain forests. But they acquire the title Zombie when a species of a parasitic fungus, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, hijacks the ant's system and makes the insect perform behaviors that help the fungus live and reproduce. The spores of the fungus germinate inside the ants, through the mouth and produces the mycelium, which make up the body of the fungus. The mycelium then spreads throughout the ant, deteriorating the muscles and eventually the fungus reaches the brain. Scientists have yet to identify the chemicals that are released by the fungi that control the ant.

Researchers found that it takes about 3-9 days for the ants to be completely "zombified." After zombie..fication, the now fully realized Zombie Ants are controlled by the fungus and is directed to leave the colony and finds the perfect spot for the fungus to reproduce. The ant then finds the spot and bites down on the underside of a leaf, referred to as the "Death Grip" (super ominous), the fungus grows to take over the exterior of the ant and successfully reproduces. Genius plan, nature.

But what I found interesting was the specificity of the fungus as it controlled the Zombie. Studying a specific group of Zombie Ants, researchers found that 98% bit down on a vein on the underside of the leaf, at least 25 cm above the ground with the leaf being located in 90-95% humidity and in temperatures of 20-30 degrees Celsius. Kinda creepy how specific they are, but it's amazing how well this fungus has managed to stay alive. The fact that this fungus can affect different kinds of ants species suggests that it has evolved throughout years to manipulate its victim of choice.

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is known to wipe out entire ant colonies. Ants can even detect if one of their colony members is infected and they will carry the poor guy far away to die so the rest of them don't catch the fungus.

(Just realized that someone else blogged about this. Sorry! Consider this a more in depth explanation of Zombie Ants, hahah)