You may remember that I've written about this before, but it just so happens that I came across an article (to read it, click here) of hope for Zombie Ants. Okay, well the truth is there isn't hope for those already overtaken-- but there is hope for their colony.
If you read my previous post about Zombie Ants, you may remember that the zombification process is started by a parasitic fungus that takes over the ants brain causing strange and unexpected behaviors. Scientists believe this is caused by the release of neurotoxin that disrupts normal ant behaviors. Ants that typically march in rows will stumble, walk circles and then at around noon, clamp their mandible on a leaf stem or branch, where they will hang (and die) until the fungi sprout out of the ants head and release more spores into the soil below for unsuspecting ants marching by.
It appears that there is an antidote. It is a parasite to the parasite that works to neutralize the fungus before it can release spores to infect more ants. The parasite to the fungus is a secondary fungus that effectively coats the first fungus, preventing it from releasing spores to infect more ants.
For your viewing pleasure, we have created pictures of what really happens vs well, you know-- what you imagine the Zombie Antpocolypse to be like (please excuse the missing "e" in the second picture... apparently it has fallen victim to the zombies!!!)... And then finally, a video made by the BBC on Zombie Ants.
If you read my previous post about Zombie Ants, you may remember that the zombification process is started by a parasitic fungus that takes over the ants brain causing strange and unexpected behaviors. Scientists believe this is caused by the release of neurotoxin that disrupts normal ant behaviors. Ants that typically march in rows will stumble, walk circles and then at around noon, clamp their mandible on a leaf stem or branch, where they will hang (and die) until the fungi sprout out of the ants head and release more spores into the soil below for unsuspecting ants marching by.
It appears that there is an antidote. It is a parasite to the parasite that works to neutralize the fungus before it can release spores to infect more ants. The parasite to the fungus is a secondary fungus that effectively coats the first fungus, preventing it from releasing spores to infect more ants.
For your viewing pleasure, we have created pictures of what really happens vs well, you know-- what you imagine the Zombie Antpocolypse to be like (please excuse the missing "e" in the second picture... apparently it has fallen victim to the zombies!!!)... And then finally, a video made by the BBC on Zombie Ants.
