Zombie-Ant Fungus Hijacks Muscle Fibers

The zombie-ant fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis does not control carpenter ants by filling their brains with fungal cells. Penn State researchers used 3-D electron microscopy and artificial intelligence to map infected ants, finding fungal cells throughout their bodies and surrounding and invading their muscle fibers. The connected cells formed a network that may manipulate the ants' legs and mandibles like a puppeteer pulling strings. Researchers found no fungal cells inside the brain, although the parasite may still alter it chemically.

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