In season 1, episode 2, we learn from an Indonesian mycologist that the zombie fungus about to wreak global havoc is Ophiocordyceps, called “cordyceps” throughout the show. We assume the inspiration for the game/show is therefore Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, informally, the “zombie ant fungus”.
This fungus infects carpenter ants. Spores first attach to the ant, then, through enzymatic action and mechanical pressure, they punch through the ant’s hard exoskeleton. Already sounding pretty badass.
Next, the fungus grows in the ant’s circulatory system and secretes chemicals to change the ant’s behavior. It climbs to a specific height and clamps onto a leaf with its mandibles. The fungus causes lockjaw that prevents it from letting go. This is where the ant will die.
The fungus continues growing in the dead ant. Mycelia (which are like roots in fungi) extend out of the ant to further anchor it. Then, the fruiting body (mushrooms are types of fruiting bodies), will erupt from the ant’s head and release spores into the environment, to begin the cycle anew.
Currently, these fungi only infect invertebrates. The show suggests that climate warming might push a jump into warm-blooded creatures. But even if the fungus could infect people, the machinery needed for mind control would need to evolve considerably in complexity. More on that in future posts!
"Increasing evidence shows that cordyceps is a bidirectional modulator with both potentiating and suppressive effects on the immune system through regulating innate and adaptive immunity."
Infinitely complex
Frequently terrifying
But for those of us with a certain type of curiosity…science in all its branches is fascinating beyond all measure.
I will never know it all…but I will learn something new every day. And that is enough.
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Fun side note: an unrelated fungus, Massospora cicadina, can turn cicadas into sex zombies: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-this-zombie-fungus-turns-cicadas-into-horror-movie-sex-bots/
But grody.
But cool.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/
Frequently terrifying
But for those of us with a certain type of curiosity…science in all its branches is fascinating beyond all measure.
I will never know it all…but I will learn something new every day. And that is enough.