Parasitic zombie-ant fungus thrives in mosses, too
This may help fungi survive host scarcity and explains why infected hosts prefer the mosses as death sites.
The parasitic fungi belonging to the Cordyceps genus, often featured in nature documentaries and zombie-themed media, have been discovered thriving in mosses, according to a study published in the IMA Fungus journal. This revelation suggests the fungus undergoes a second life stage within the moss, potentially as an evolutionary adaptation to endure periods when insect hosts are scarce.
Furthermore, it may explain why infected host species display a preference for consuming mosses during the final stages of their life. With over 400 Cordyceps species, each specifically targeting a particular insect, the spores attach to the insect, causing the host to be transformed into a "zombie" and ultimately clinging to a leaf or twig as it dies.
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- Parasitic zombie-ant fungus thrives in mosses, too arstechnica.com
