Ants and Barbells The Zombie mushroom Cordyceps unilateralis has made its rounds in the press as of late. Spores affixing themselves to ants, penetrating the exoskeleton, entering the body and eventually commandeering the victims nervous system. The ants condition is terminal but before dying it obeys the wishes of the fungal overlord and that is to find a leaf 9.8 inches from the ground and that is facing north. Once in perfect position the ant clamps its mandible extremely hard onto one of the main veins that run the underside of the leaf. Soon after the mandibular muscles seize tight and the ant dies with a death grip on the leaf. The fungus quickly consumes the soft parts of the insect and fortifies it surrounds against competitive fungi to nourish and protect the spore bearing fruit body the erupts from the head of the recently undead. After some time the dead ants fall to the ground and the leaf is left with a barbell shaped hole. A 47myo fossil leaf from Messel Germany bares many of these barbell scares, and is oldest confirmed instance of fungal predation on animals.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 01:24:02 +0000
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