The Dangerous Ophiocordyceps Mushroom That Grows In Tropical Areas Can Make Zombies

The dangerous fungus Ophiocordyceps that grows in tropical areas (Gatra.com)

YOGYAKARTA - A study published in the journal PNAS has highlighted the mysterious symptoms experienced by 'zombie' ants. Tropical carpenter ants (Camponotus rufipes) die in tropical forest foliage, infested with parasitic fungi all over their bodies.

The ant's entire body is rigidly filled with a white membrane like a fungus that looks like a zombie. This fungus must kill the ants outside the nest in order to reproduce and transmit the infection, then ensure that all members of the colony die. The fungus that is given the name Ophiocordyceps has a harmful effect on the nerves of the brain.

The ant is rigidly filled with a white membrane like a fungus that looks like a zombie (Nafium.com)

The tropical fungus Ophiocordyceps is a dangerous fungus that can infect the central nerve in ants. By the time the fungus is in the insect's body for nine days, they have complete control over the movement of the host.

They force the ants to climb the tree, then stiffen and fall into the cool, moist ground below, where the fungus breeds. Once there, the mushrooms wait until exactly noon to force the ants to bite the leaves and kill them.

However, this research is still in an interim stage. Charissa de Bekker, Professor from the University of Central Florida said, this complex phenomenon reveals the mystery about ants. "The fungus may secrete a compound that causes the ants to turn strange. If it only damages brain tissue, I don't think this is possible," Bekker said.

This research will at least be very useful because genetically, humans and fungi have more in common than plants and fungi.

The things that kill humans are much like the things that kill fungi, rather than plants. Bekker said the findings also relate to artificial intelligence, which could make people more excited to do more research.