'Zombie' Parasite Cordyceps Fungus Takes Over Insects Through Mind Control | National Geographic

Summary

This script narrates the fascinating and eerie world of fungi and slime molds, particularly focusing on the parasitic fungus cordyceps. It details how cordyceps infects ants, taking over their bodies and minds, compelling them to seek optimal conditions for the fungus to grow and release spores. The cycle continues as more ants are infected, leading to the potential devastation of entire ant colonies. The script also hints at the broader impact of over 600 species of cordyceps found globally, preying on various hosts in jungles.

Takeaways

• 🍄 Fungi and slime molds are essential decomposers in forest ecosystems, breaking down dead organic matter.
• 🌪️ Fungi can reproduce rapidly, releasing up to 30,000 spores per second to spread and colonize new areas.
• 🕷️ Some fungi, like cordyceps, are parasitic and can infect living organisms, such as ants, altering their behavior.
• 🧠 Cordyceps fungus manipulates the ant's brain by releasing chemicals, compelling the ant to move to an optimal location for the fungus to grow.
• 🌞 The ideal conditions for the parasitic fungus include the right amount of light and humidity, which the infected ant is compelled to seek.
• 🦷 The infected ant is driven to clamp down in a 'death bite,' securing its position for the fungus to thrive and eventually release its spores.
• 💀 The nature of cordyceps is revealed as it grows within the ant, leading to the host's death and the spread of the fungus.
• 📈 After three weeks, the cordyceps fungus matures and releases its spores, which can infect more ants, perpetuating the cycle.
• 🐜 Cordyceps can devastate entire ant colonies through this cycle of infection and spore release.
• 🌏 There are over 600 species of cordyceps worldwide, with most found in jungles where they prey on various hosts.
• 🐛 Beyond ants, a wide range of organisms are at risk of infection by different species of cordyceps.

Q & A

What role do fungi and slime molds play in the forest ecosystem?

Fungi and slime molds are decomposers, playing a crucial role in breaking down dead organic matter on the forest floor, thus recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

How many spores can some fungi release per second?

Some fungi can release up to thirty thousand spores per second, which is a significant rate of dispersal.

What happens if a spore lands in a suitable location and takes root?

If a spore lands in the right place and takes root, it can colonize a whole new area, potentially leading to the spread of the fungus across a larger region.

What is the nature of the relationship between cordyceps and the ant it infects?

Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus that infects ants, infiltrating their muscles and taking over their bodies. It manipulates the ant's behavior to ensure its own growth and reproduction.

How does the cordyceps fungus manipulate the ant's behavior?

The fungus floods the ant's brain with chemicals, effectively drugging and compelling the ant to move to an environment with the right conditions for the fungus to grow.

What is the purpose of the 'death bite' that the infected ant performs?

The death bite is a behavior induced by the cordyceps fungus to position the ant in a way that is optimal for the release of its spores, ensuring the spread of the infection to other ants.

How long does it take for cordyceps to fully grow and release its spores after infecting an ant?

It takes about three weeks for the cordyceps fungus to grow to maturity within an infected ant and then release its spores.

What is the potential impact of cordyceps on ant colonies?

Cordyceps can be devastating to ant colonies, as it can wipe out entire colonies by infecting and killing a large number of ants.

How many species of cordyceps are there, and where are they typically found?

There are over six hundred species of cordyceps, most of which are found in jungles around the world, where they prey on a variety of hosts.

What other types of organisms are at risk from cordyceps besides ants?

While ants are a common host, cordyceps can infect a wide range of organisms, indicating that many species are potentially at risk from this parasitic fungus.

What environmental conditions are ideal for the growth of cordyceps within its host?

The ideal conditions for cordyceps growth include the right amount of light and humidity, which the infected ant is compelled to seek out by the fungus.