The Functions of Ophiocordyceps unilateralis: a Scientific Article

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The Functions of Ophiocordyceps unilateralis: a Scientific Article

*do not copy or it will count as plagiarism*

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Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is just as complicated as it sounds! It's an insect-pathogenic fungal parasite that infects and manipulates ants, and it's also known as zombie ant fungus. Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is found in tropical forests and in many moist places where it can thrive safely. It is one of the many species of Cordyceps, which is a genus full of manipulating fungi, which each infects a different insect. In this case, ants are the victim. 

To summarize the process, active Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spores infect ants and force the ants to climb onto the stem of a leaf and bite it with an extreme force so that it wouldn't fall off. Then, the ant dies and a stroma - the main fungus stem - erupts from the back of the ant's head and releases more spores. Although not confirmed, many researchers (like Charissa de Bekker) say that the mind control is cast through bioactive compounds and interferes with the nervous system.

But the fungus isn't as bad as many people think. Most of us know that in order for ecosystems and food chains to be balanced, a certain amount of each organism species must die and a certain amount must live. Without this fungus, the population of ants might increase by a lot, and this would cause imbalance. Additionally, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sometimes dies, precisely when the ant doesn't reach the right place with the perfect humidity levels on time for the fungi to sprout.

Still, many ants die because of this, especially when there are Ophiocordyceps unilateralis that produce an exceptional amount of spores. Due to this, ants have evidently learned to avoid O. unilateralis. When some ants in a colony are infected, they get kicked out by fellow ants to prevent the spread. So next time you see ants being left out, think: are the other ants trying to be mean on purpose, or is that ant infected by the cause of zombie ants?

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References (links):

- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/cordyceps-zombie-fungus-takes-over-ants

- https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/but-not-simpler/the-fungus-that-reduced-humanity-to-the-last-of-us/

- https://sites.google.com/a/abschools.org/ophiocordyceps-unilateralis/what-is-ophiocordyceps-unilateralis

- https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/how-a-zombie-fungus-takes-over-ants-jaws-to-deliver-a-death-bite

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8

- http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/f2013/kumlien_aaro/facts.htm

- https://sciences.ucf.edu/biology/person/charissa-de-bekker//

Comments

Anonymous said…
this is terrifying
29 March 2021 at 11:41
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