Attack of the zombie ant fungus

The oldest evidence of a fungus that turns ants into zombies and makes them stagger to their death has been uncovered by scientists. . .

The finding shows that parasitic fungi evolved the ability to control the creatures they infect in the distant past, even before the rise of the Himalayas.

The fungus, which is alive and well in forests today, latches on to carpenter ants as they cross the forest floor before returning to their nests high in the canopy.

The fungus grows inside the ants and releases chemicals that affect their behaviour. . .

In their last hours, infected ants move towards the underside of the leaf they are on and lock their mandibles in a "death grip" around the central vein, immobilising themselves and locking the fungus in position.

Posted by David on August 18, 2010 1:12 PM