The Atlantic rainforests of Brazil are a hotspot for biodiversity but they are also one of the most threatened ecosystems. 92% of this rainforests original coverage has already been lost. One of the reasons it is so important to protect this rainforest is the amazing species that call this place home, like a zombifying ant fungus!
Researchers have recently discovered a group of four kinds of fungus that can take over an ant’s body, controlling their behavior and turning them into zombies… spooky. After this fungus takes control of an unsuspecting ant it scopes out a sweet spot to spread its spores killing the poor zombie in the process.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-03/plos-fns030111.php
That is so cool. I wonder if they act differently.
That is scary. I’ve seen a video about “zombie snails”, but I didn’t know ants could also be called “zombies”! Scary.
That is ssssooooooooooo strange isn’t a fungus that takes control
of the hosts body and drives them against their own command?
That’s soooo cool! 🙂
wow om (oh my) i ant believit its awesome but creepy awesomeepy
MEEP,MEEP!!!\
Ewwwwwww! So creepy!!! Yet so cool…
People if you see fugus DO NOT TOUCH IT! I repeat! DO NOT TOUCH IT!
you said it lightningpelt you never know
No doubt!