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Scientists discover "zombie ants" in Brazil

 
 
 
 
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A zombie ant 007
A zombie ant infected with the parasitic fungus bites the neck of one of its dead fellows, mistaking it for a leaf vein.

‘Zombie ants’ may sound like the title of an Ed Wood movie, but, according to National Geographic, they are quite real.

Oddly, there’s nothing very zombie-like about the actual ants. It’s only when a particular fungus takes over the ant’s brain that things get weird.

Once the “stalk of the newfound fungus species Ophiocordyceps camponoti-balzani infects an ant, the ant gives up control over its own body. After the fungus is in control, it forces the ant to scamper toward “a location ideal for the fungi to grow and spread their spores.” Then, it’s lights out for the ant. Who knew a fungus could be so diabolical?

These wild discoveries were made by a group in Brazil headed by entomologist David Hughes. National Geographic published a series of pictures of ants that have “lost their minds” to the fungus. You can check out a sample of them below. Not for the squeamish.

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3 Responses to " Scientists discover "zombie ants" in Brazil "

  1. Well. How long till the world power can use the fungi to control us eh… lol…….

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  2. DAMN NATURE YOU SCARY

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  3. :-D This is freeking awesome. Va chingate to all of you who dont believe

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