Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Zombie Ants and Killer Fungus

Posted by samzenpus on from the level-1-random-encounter dept.

nibbles2004 writes "An article in the Guardian newspaper shows how parasitic fungi evolved the ability to control ants they infect, ultimately leading the ant to its death. The fungus controls the ant's movements to a suitable leaf and causes the ant to grip onto the leaf's central stem, allowing the fungus to spore, which will allow more ants to become infected."

2 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. Obligatory... by millennial · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wonder if the zombie ants have a higher chance of infecting others if the leaves they cling to are the leaves of GRAAAAIIIIIINNNNSSS?

    --
    I am scientifically inaccurate.
  2. hmm.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    M. Night Shiamalan will probably make a stupid movie about this.