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| Image source: Flickr. Xenomurphy. |
America has gone crazy for
zombies. In the past few years there has been a huge rise in media portraying
zombies, whether they take the form of video games, TV shows, books, or movies.
The only thing that can console people terrified of zombies is the fact that
zombies don’t exist. At least the public thought zombies did not actually exist until a discovery was made in 2011.
Zombie Ground Zero
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| Image source: Flickr. Armed Forces Pest Management Board. |
Carpenter ants (technically Camponotus leonardi) in Thailand are
being “zombified” by a unique fungus in the genus Ophiocordyceps. The “zombification”process starts when an ant comes into contact with one of the fungus’ microscopic
spores. In the beginning, right after exposure, the ant behaves normally as if
nothing happened. During this time, the fungus grows within the ant and slowly
degrades muscles and other internal organs. Eventually the fungus takes over
the brain, gaining complete control of the ant’s body and movement.
Spreading the Undead Love
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| Image source: National Geographic. David P. Hughes. |
Once the fungus is in charge the zombie ant moves to a moist area of
the forest and bites down on the vein of a leaf. At this point, the fungus
moves into the ant’s mouth and breaks apart muscles so that the ant can never
let go of the leaf. After a few days the fungus bursts out of the ant in the
form of a fruiting body that releases spores. These spores are then
(unfortunately) picked up by other ants, causing the cycle of life and “undeath”
to repeat itself.
Finding a Cure
This fungus might be a little
disturbing to think about, but so far there have been no instances of it
affecting any other organisms aside from carpenter ants. According to entomologist David Hughes, there is also a glimmer of hope and salvation for infected
ants. Even if an ant picks up a Ophiocordyceps
spore, it can still lead a normal life so long as it encounters another,
mystery fungus. This fungus is unique in that it can efficiently kill off Ophiocordyceps without harming the host
ant, stopping the "zombification" before it’s too late. Thankfully, for now, the threat
of a zombie apocalypse is only real in the movies.
This is a very interesting post you have here. I think I have seen something like this elsewhere. I remember watching planet Earth on the Discovery Channel and it had a little section about this. I just think it's really interesting that something as small as a spore of fungus can develop into something like this. Something like this could be pretty devastating if it evolved and started to effect other organisms. It's great to know that we have "zombies" among us and hopefully it wont get out of hand.
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