4 New Species of Zombifying Ant Fungus Found

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Wired:

Four new species of brain-manipulating fungi that turn ants into "zombies" have been discovered in the Brazilian rain forest.
These fungi control ant behavior with mind-altering chemicals, then kill them. They're part of a large family of fungi that create chemicals that mess with animal nervous systems.

Usually scientists study these fungi as specimens preserved in a lab, said entomologist David Hughes of Pennsylvania State University, co-author of a study March 3 PLoS ONE. "By going into the forest to watch them, we found new micro-structures and behaviors."

Once infected by spores, the worker ants, normally dedicated to serving the colony, leave the nest, find a small shrub and start climbing. The fungi directs all ants to the same kind of leaf: about 25 centimeters above the ground and at a precise angle to the sun (though the favored angle varies between fungi). How the fungi do this is a mystery.

"It's related to the fungus that LSD comes from," Hughes said. "Obviously they are producing lots of interesting chemicals."
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I for one welcome our new Zombie overlords...

[SrWoodchuck]

Will we now see people snorting zombifying ant fungus marching powder......climbing 27" up and attaching themselves to some leafy vegetation?

 

I never liked cocaine....I just liked the way it smelled!

[NCJim]

Will we now see people snorting zombifying ant fungus marching powder......climbing 27" up and attaching themselves to some leafy vegetation?

 

then they will march to the voting booth where they will vote for Obama...

 

God help us