How Can Ants Become Zombie’s
WouterAmong the many types of fungi, one that has been widely known for turning ants into zombies is the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis. This parasite infects the ants of the Camponotini tribe and alters their behavioral patterns.
The fungus first enters the ant through a small, single cell, but slowly spreads throughout the infected ant’s body. It then forms short tubes, which allow the cells to communicate. The fungus is able to manipulate the muscle fibers in the ant and force them to contract, atrophy and spread apart.
Once the ant is infected, the fungus begins to produce spores, which fall to the ground and infect new ants. Some ants die while others are left to sprout spores where they died.
The fungus eventually takes over the ant’s central nervous system and muscles. The fungus then forces the ant to climb to the top of the blade of grass. The ant then clamps its jaws around the stem of the leaf and dies.
This type of fungus has been found in several tropical rainforests, including in Brazil. It has also been detected in temperate rainforests in Florida and South Carolina. It has also been observed in Japan.
The fungus is known to manipulate ants’ behavioral patterns and odour perception, and has also been found to affect ants’ biological clock. However, researchers have yet to elucidate the molecular mechanism of how the fungus manipulates the ant’s behavior.
David P. Hughes, an entomologist at Penn State University, is leading the research.
