Mar 4 - New Zombie-Creating Fungi Discovered (video)

This is surreal.

Four new species of the zombifying fungi, members of the Ophiocordyceps (or just Cordyceps) genus have apparently been discovered. These fungi are the sworn enemy of tropical ants and other insects, infecting them and causing their unusual behavior, according to Mongabay.

From LiveScience:

Once it infects an ant, the fungus uses as-yet-unidentified chemicals to control the ant's behavior, [study researcher David] Hughes told LiveScience. It directs the ant to leave its colony (a very un-ant-like thing to do) and bite down on the underside of a leaf -- the ant's soon-to-be resting place. Once it is k!lled by the fungus, the ant remains anchored in place, thanks to its [rip] grip on the leaf.

Ultimately, the fungus produces a long stalk that protrudes from the ant's head, shooting spores out in the hopes of infecting other ants. Two of the four newly discovered species also sprouted smaller stalks elsewhere, including from the victim's feet and lower leg joints - the equivalent of knees.
The video below, from Planet Earth, gives an incredible time-lapsed view of what Cordyceps fungi can do.

The discovery of these four new Cordyceps species, each specific to a different ant in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, will help scientists study the role of zombie fungi in a degraded habitat, reports Mongabay. The initial paper on the new fungi was published in the open-access journal, PloS ONE.

WATCH (Footage of a previously discovered Cordyceps species released by the BBC's Planet Earth in 2006.):

thats old but !! is crazy if it ever has a chance to evolve we may be next!

Holy shyt ...I play enough nazi zombies to know what to do though

We should burn all of that crap down. Don't like the sound of it. If it's not carrying anything life saving then who needs it.

Holy shyt ...I play enough nazi zombies to know what to do though

playing video games doesn't give you the ability to know how to properly load, unload, clean/maintain and shoot real firearms nor does it give you magical stamina that allows you to run forever.

and does it teach you how to properly filter water? how to really survive? no, nor do those !!ty uh oh better drink my own!!survival shows.

you wouldn't last a week if a zombie apocalypse happened or any apocalypse, most people have this idea that its ok to drink lake water or that you can just boil it and its drinkable

no.. you can't.

playing video games doesn't give you the ability to know how to properly load, unload, clean/maintain and shoot real firearms nor does it give you magical stamina that allows you to run forever.

and does it teach you how to properly filter water? how to really survive? no, nor do those !!ty uh oh better drink my own!!survival shows.

you wouldn't last a week if a zombie apocalypse happened or any apocalypse, most people have this idea that its ok to drink lake water or that you can just boil it and its drinkable

no.. you can't.