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What is Unilateralis Ophiocordyceps?
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) is a specialized parasite that infects, manipulates and kills formicine ants, predominantly in tropical forest ecosystems. We have reported previously, based on a preliminary study in remnant Atlantic Forest in Minas Gerais (Brazil), that O.
Why is Ophiocordyceps unilateralis important?
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis and related species are known to engage in an active secondary metabolism, among other reasons, for the production of substances active as antibacterial agents that protect the fungus-host ecosystem against further pathogenesis during fungal reproduction.
What does Ophiocordyceps do to humans?
The new, unidentified species of Cordyceps turns humans first into violent “infected” and then into blind “clickers,” complete with fruiting bodies sprouting from their faces. Like traditional zombie canon, a zombie bite is death. However, the inhalation of Cordyceps spores is the un-death sentence.
Can Cordyceps make zombies?
Cordyceps fungi excel at infecting and killing insects. One particular species, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, has become famous for its ability to turn ants into zombies.
Where is Ophiocordyceps unilateralis found?
tropical environments
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis enjoys a warmer habitat and is normally found in tropical environments (Hughes 2010). The fungus may be found in warm temperate forests, but is more commonly found in tropical forests in Thailand, Brazil, Central America, and Africa (Cordyceps 2013).
How do you say Ophiocordyceps unilateralis?
ophiocordyceps unilateralis Pronunciation. ophio·cordy·ceps uni·lat·er·alis.
Who discovered Ophiocordyceps?
mycologist Tom Petch
Ophiocordyceps is a genus of fungi within the family Ophiocordycipitaceae. The widespread genus, first described scientifically by British mycologist Tom Petch in 1931, contains about 140 species that grow on insects.
Can humans get Ophiocordyceps?
And now that this has happened, the fungus and spores can spread even further, infecting more and more people. Luckily, we don’t need to worry about this sort of thing happening to us. Cordyceps can’t infect humans, as our bodies are better than insects at attacking pathogens.
Can the Cordyceps infect humans?
Luckily, we don’t need to worry about this sort of thing happening to us. Cordyceps can’t infect humans, as our bodies are better than insects at attacking pathogens. So you can rest easy, knowing you won’t turn into a zombie from these things.