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Scientists in Europe have identified unknown types of fungi that convert spiders into “zombies”. Fungi urges them from their networks before inciting unlimited death and then used the bodies of spiders to spread their germs.
The newly discovered species, named Gibellula Attenboroughii, operate in a similar way like Zombie Ant fungiIt seems that its prey manipulated to move to a more suitable place to spread, according to a study published on January 24 in the magazine Faconation theology and development.
But the way the fungi affects the brain of spiders is still a mystery, and there are still many questions about the evolutionary path of fungi and environmental effects.
“We know well ants, wasps, and a very few other examples. Dr. Joao Araijo, a fungus specialist at the Museum of Natural History in Denmark and an assistant professor at the University of Copenhagen, said that this is now in a different family, so it is a new origin to manipulate behavior.” “It’s really interesting, this is not very common in the world of parasites.”
Researchers said that the result opens new research opportunities to better understand the fungi that control animals and illuminate the diversity of fungi that have not yet been revealed.
Fungi urge spiders to a more suitable area to spread their germs, the authors of the study are assumed. The spider is infected with the G. Attenboroughii in the production stage. – Tim Vogue
Zombie Spider Fungus Discovery
The newly discovered species are part of a larger branch of fungi that affect spiders exclusively.
The researchers have noticed a different type of Gibellula (G. Aurea in Brazil). Spiders may manipulate the move to the bottom side of the leaves before death, as shown in A. November 2022 Study Participate in authored by Araújo. However, the maneuver was not remarkably as it is when G. Attenboronghii is targeting cavernous spiders.
So far, scientists have noticed only c. Attenburoy affects the spiders Metillina Miriana and Meta Minardi, both of which are the breezes of the restricted celestial body in Europe.
The first viewing contains strange fungi against a colorful background: In 2021, the fungi television crew first discovered a Weaver spider while filming a display in the deserted gunpowder store at the Castle Espie Wetland Center in Northern Ireland to the bottom.
The crew noted that the spider put itself in an open position before death, away from its network, indicating that the fungi caused a behavioral change.
Other notes revealed more spiders in the caves in Northern Ireland and Ireland, all of which are placed in the open areas of the ceiling or the walls of the rooms, according to the study.
The researchers have noticed many spiders infected on the cave roof and the walls of egg fats in Ireland. Fungi were also found in the cave systems in Northern Ireland. – Tim Vogue
“Most spiders are spiders for building web want to stay on the Internet. Dr. Jay Stafftrom, an expert in Ankacci -sensory environment and post -PhD researcher at Cornell University in Ethaka, New York.
“The fact that fungi can afflict something and then changes this animal from a behavioral aspect that the fungi helps spread, I think it is very interesting,” said Staverome, who was not part of the study.
The researchers said they are not sure of the micro -mechanics and internal work of fungi. But the team assumes that fungi blocked spiders from their locks as they are exposed to circulating air currents, which help spread their germs, said Araijo, who is also an honorary researcher in royal plant gardens, Qi, in the United Kingdom.
The authors have not yet limited any volatile – vehicles produced by fungi that can interact with other organisms – G. Attenboroughii launched in the host’s brain. More research is required to know the environmental impact of fungi, but Araújo said he does not think there is any reason for the affected spider types.
“Fungi has evolved several million years ago, more than 100 million years ago, and they coexisted with these spiders and other types of fungi and other insects,” Araijo said.
“In fact, we can assume that it keeps the forest in the balance,” he added, noting the state of the fungi of the zombie. Scientists have documented Arajo said that the deadly parasite that organizes insects.
More to discover fungi
Dr. Matthew Nielsen, an evolutionary biologist at the Chicago Museum of Natural History at the Chicago Museum, said about 150,000 types of fungi has been officially documented, but it is estimated that the number is not less than 5 % of only the diversity of fungi there. , Which was not part of the new study. “This study attracts attention to this challenge and will also inspire society to work to bridge this gap,” Nielsen added in an email.
The authors also noticed the presence of fungi that was noticed by the eating of zombie spider fungi, “explains that these spiders are important nutritional sources of fungi, which in turn support other fungi. Nielsen said:” This works together to highlight the complex and diverse world around us. “
More research is needed to know the environmental effects of fungi, but study authors do not believe that there is a cause of anxiety for spider types. A cave spider is seen over egg nest. – Tim Vogue
The hypothesis of zombie fungi can quickly turn into a horror story when re -conceived as a human scientific creature, as in the HBO series “The Last of Us”, is said to be inspired by Zombie Ant fungi. (HBO Warner Bros. Discovery with CNN.) Since these newly discovered fungi only affect spiders, you do not need humans anxiety about Gibellula Attenboroughii, Nielsen said.
“While there are some fungi that control the cave that constitute a problem for humans, this is part of a group of fungi that only affect spiders. Jumping to humans requires that tolerance develop with the warm body temperature and circumvent our immune system, And both of them act as strong defenses against most fungi. “
Araújo said that he and his team are planning to continue studying the group of fungi that affect spiders to understand the connection of these species, their origins, how they developed, and more. The additional understanding of these fungi may eventually lead to a possible application in protecting crops or even human medicine.
“Imagine, (with) fungi that can control the behavior of the spider, which is what Interlocut “They are called in the brain of this spider,” Araijo said. “This could be a really revolutionary thing for Alzheimer’s disease, degenerative diseases and those that affect the brain. So there is hope there.”
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