Ophiocordyceps unilateralis - Revision history

Mlarson5: /* Life Cycle */

2022-05-13T01:09:26Z

Life Cycle

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:09, 12 May 2022
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	==Life Cycle==		==Life Cycle==
	Typically, the ant species Camponotus leonardi live in the high canopies of tropical forests where they create a network of aerial trails. Sometimes, trails can become broken creating gaps that are too difficult to cross. In this case, the ants must descend down to the forest floor where they can be exposed to Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spores. Spores attach to the exoskeleton of the ant where they eventually break through using enzymes and mechanical pressure. Yeast stages cause the fungus to spread throughout the ants body where they produce compounds that presumably affect the ant's circulatory system to manipulate the behavioral pattern of the host. Notably, ants will experience irregularly timed, full-body convulsions that dislodge the ant from the canopy to fall to the forest floor.		Typically, the ant species Camponotus leonardi live in the high canopies of tropical forests where they create a network of aerial trails. Sometimes, trails can become broken creating gaps that are too difficult to cross. In this case, the ants must descend down to the forest floor where they can be exposed to Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spores. Spores attach to the exoskeleton of the ant where they eventually break through using enzymes and mechanical pressure. Yeast stages cause the fungus to spread throughout the ants body where they produce compounds that presumably affect the ant's circulatory system to manipulate the behavioral pattern of the host. Notably, ants will experience irregularly timed, full-body convulsions that dislodge the ant from the canopy to fall to the forest floor. [6]

	Infected ants begin to experience very specific changes in behavior which give rise to the popular "zombie-ant" naming. Behaviors are modified to improve conditions for the fungus in terms of growth and future transmission. Infected ants will climb up stems of plants where they use abnormal force to clamp down on a main vein of a leaf using their mandibles. Once secure, ants remain there until they die and reproductive structures sprout from their body. Eventually, additional spores are released to attach to new hosts.		Infected ants begin to experience very specific changes in behavior which give rise to the popular "zombie-ant" naming. Behaviors are modified to improve conditions for the fungus in terms of growth and future transmission. Infected ants will climb up stems of plants where they use abnormal force to clamp down on a main vein of a leaf using their mandibles. Once secure, ants remain there until they die and reproductive structures sprout from their body. Eventually, additional spores are released to attach to new hosts.

Mlarson5: /* References */

2022-05-13T01:08:57Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:08, 12 May 2022
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	[5] Evans HC, Elliot SL, Hughes DP (September 2011). "Ophiocordyceps unilateralis: A keystone species for unraveling ecosystem functioning and biodiversity of fungi in tropical forests?". Communicative & Integrative Biology. 4 (5): 598–602		[5] Evans HC, Elliot SL, Hughes DP (September 2011). "Ophiocordyceps unilateralis: A keystone species for unraveling ecosystem functioning and biodiversity of fungi in tropical forests?". Communicative & Integrative Biology. 4 (5): 598–602

			[6] Hughes DP, Andersen SB, Hywel-Jones NL, Himaman W, Billen J, Boomsma JJ (May 2011). "Behavioral mechanisms and morphological symptoms of zombie ants dying from fungal infection". BMC [[Ecology]]. 11 (1): 13

Mlarson5: /* Life Cycle */

2022-05-13T01:08:26Z

Life Cycle

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:08, 12 May 2022
Line 45:		Line 45:
	Typically, the ant species Camponotus leonardi live in the high canopies of tropical forests where they create a network of aerial trails. Sometimes, trails can become broken creating gaps that are too difficult to cross. In this case, the ants must descend down to the forest floor where they can be exposed to Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spores. Spores attach to the exoskeleton of the ant where they eventually break through using enzymes and mechanical pressure. Yeast stages cause the fungus to spread throughout the ants body where they produce compounds that presumably affect the ant's circulatory system to manipulate the behavioral pattern of the host. Notably, ants will experience irregularly timed, full-body convulsions that dislodge the ant from the canopy to fall to the forest floor.		Typically, the ant species Camponotus leonardi live in the high canopies of tropical forests where they create a network of aerial trails. Sometimes, trails can become broken creating gaps that are too difficult to cross. In this case, the ants must descend down to the forest floor where they can be exposed to Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spores. Spores attach to the exoskeleton of the ant where they eventually break through using enzymes and mechanical pressure. Yeast stages cause the fungus to spread throughout the ants body where they produce compounds that presumably affect the ant's circulatory system to manipulate the behavioral pattern of the host. Notably, ants will experience irregularly timed, full-body convulsions that dislodge the ant from the canopy to fall to the forest floor.

	Infected ants begin to experience very specific changes in behavior which give rise to the popular "zombie-ant" naming. Behaviors are modified to improve conditions for the fungus in terms of growth and future transmission. Infected ants will climb up stems of plants where they use abnormal force to clamp down on a main vein of a leaf using their mandibles. Once secure, ants remain there until they die and reproductive structures sprout from their body. Eventually, additional spores are released to attach on to new hosts.		Infected ants begin to experience very specific changes in behavior which give rise to the popular "zombie-ant" naming. Behaviors are modified to improve conditions for the fungus in terms of growth and future transmission. Infected ants will climb up stems of plants where they use abnormal force to clamp down on a main vein of a leaf using their mandibles. Once secure, ants remain there until they die and reproductive structures sprout from their body. Eventually, additional spores are released to attach to new hosts.

	==References==		==References==

Mlarson5: /* Life Cycle */

2022-05-13T01:07:32Z

Life Cycle

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:07, 12 May 2022
Line 43:		Line 43:

	==Life Cycle==		==Life Cycle==
	Typically, the ant species Camponotus leonardi live in the high canopies of tropical forests where they create a network of aerial trails. Sometimes, trails can become broken creating gaps that are too difficult to cross. In this case, the ants must descend down to the forest floor where they can be exposed to Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spores. Spores attach to the exoskeleton of an the ant where they eventually break through using enzymes and mechanical pressure. Yeast stages cause the fungus to spread throughout the ants body where they produce compounds that presumably affect the ant's circulatory system to manipulate the behavioral pattern of the host. Notably, ants will experience irregularly timed, full-body convulsions that dislodge the ant from the canopy to fall to the forest floor.		Typically, the ant species Camponotus leonardi live in the high canopies of tropical forests where they create a network of aerial trails. Sometimes, trails can become broken creating gaps that are too difficult to cross. In this case, the ants must descend down to the forest floor where they can be exposed to Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spores. Spores attach to the exoskeleton of the ant where they eventually break through using enzymes and mechanical pressure. Yeast stages cause the fungus to spread throughout the ants body where they produce compounds that presumably affect the ant's circulatory system to manipulate the behavioral pattern of the host. Notably, ants will experience irregularly timed, full-body convulsions that dislodge the ant from the canopy to fall to the forest floor.

	Infected ants begin to experience very specific changes in behavior which give rise to the popular "zombie-ant" naming. Behaviors are modified to improve conditions for the fungus in terms of growth and future transmission. Infected ants will climb up stems of plants where they use abnormal force to clamp down on a main vein of a leaf using their mandibles. Once secure, ants remain there until they die and reproductive structures sprout from their body. Eventually, additional spores are released to attach on to new hosts.		Infected ants begin to experience very specific changes in behavior which give rise to the popular "zombie-ant" naming. Behaviors are modified to improve conditions for the fungus in terms of growth and future transmission. Infected ants will climb up stems of plants where they use abnormal force to clamp down on a main vein of a leaf using their mandibles. Once secure, ants remain there until they die and reproductive structures sprout from their body. Eventually, additional spores are released to attach on to new hosts.

Mlarson5: /* Life Cycle */

2022-05-13T01:07:02Z

Life Cycle

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:07, 12 May 2022
Line 43:		Line 43:

	==Life Cycle==		==Life Cycle==
			Typically, the ant species Camponotus leonardi live in the high canopies of tropical forests where they create a network of aerial trails. Sometimes, trails can become broken creating gaps that are too difficult to cross. In this case, the ants must descend down to the forest floor where they can be exposed to Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spores. Spores attach to the exoskeleton of an the ant where they eventually break through using enzymes and mechanical pressure. Yeast stages cause the fungus to spread throughout the ants body where they produce compounds that presumably affect the ant's circulatory system to manipulate the behavioral pattern of the host. Notably, ants will experience irregularly timed, full-body convulsions that dislodge the ant from the canopy to fall to the forest floor.

			Infected ants begin to experience very specific changes in behavior which give rise to the popular "zombie-ant" naming. Behaviors are modified to improve conditions for the fungus in terms of growth and future transmission. Infected ants will climb up stems of plants where they use abnormal force to clamp down on a main vein of a leaf using their mandibles. Once secure, ants remain there until they die and reproductive structures sprout from their body. Eventually, additional spores are released to attach on to new hosts.

	==References==		==References==

Mlarson5: /* Behavior & Reproduction */

2022-05-13T00:53:27Z

Behavior & Reproduction

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:53, 12 May 2022
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	O. unilateralis has the potential to kill entire ant colonies. Infected ants tend to die in areas of densely populated ant travel resulting in areas appropriately named "graveyards". These areas can be up to 30 meters in range with deceased any density dependent on climatic conditions. Studies have shown that temperature and humidity can have have a direct influence on host populations specifically because of O. unilateralis growth potential. Seasonal patterns of dead ants show a decrease during the dry seasons and increase during the rainy seasons. [1]		O. unilateralis has the potential to kill entire ant colonies. Infected ants tend to die in areas of densely populated ant travel resulting in areas appropriately named "graveyards". These areas can be up to 30 meters in range with deceased any density dependent on climatic conditions. Studies have shown that temperature and humidity can have have a direct influence on host populations specifically because of O. unilateralis growth potential. Seasonal patterns of dead ants show a decrease during the dry seasons and increase during the rainy seasons. [1]

	==~~Behavior & Reproduction~~==		==Life Cycle==

	==References==		==References==

Mlarson5: /* Host Impact */

2022-05-13T00:52:11Z

Host Impact

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:52, 12 May 2022
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	==Host Impact==		==Host Impact==
	[[File:Zombie ant life cycle.png \|400px\|thumb\|Behavioral manipulation of an ant caused by products secreted by O. unilateralis]]		[[File:Zombie ant life cycle.png \|400px\|thumb\|Behavioral manipulation of an ant caused by products secreted by O. unilateralis]]
	O. unilateralis has the potential to kill entire ant colonies. Infected ants tend to die in areas of densely populated ant travel resulting in areas appropriately named "graveyards". These areas can be up to 30 meters in range with deceased any density dependent on climatic conditions. Studies have shown that temperature and humidity can have have a direct influence on host populations specifically because of O. unilateralis growth potential. Seasonal patterns of dead ants show a decrease during the dry seasons and increase during the rainy seasons.		O. unilateralis has the potential to kill entire ant colonies. Infected ants tend to die in areas of densely populated ant travel resulting in areas appropriately named "graveyards". These areas can be up to 30 meters in range with deceased any density dependent on climatic conditions. Studies have shown that temperature and humidity can have have a direct influence on host populations specifically because of O. unilateralis growth potential. Seasonal patterns of dead ants show a decrease during the dry seasons and increase during the rainy seasons. [1]

	==Behavior & Reproduction==		==Behavior & Reproduction==

Mlarson5: /* Host Impact */

2022-05-13T00:51:54Z

Host Impact

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:51, 12 May 2022
Line 40:		Line 40:
	==Host Impact==		==Host Impact==
	[[File:Zombie ant life cycle.png \|400px\|thumb\|Behavioral manipulation of an ant caused by products secreted by O. unilateralis]]		[[File:Zombie ant life cycle.png \|400px\|thumb\|Behavioral manipulation of an ant caused by products secreted by O. unilateralis]]
			O. unilateralis has the potential to kill entire ant colonies. Infected ants tend to die in areas of densely populated ant travel resulting in areas appropriately named "graveyards". These areas can be up to 30 meters in range with deceased any density dependent on climatic conditions. Studies have shown that temperature and humidity can have have a direct influence on host populations specifically because of O. unilateralis growth potential. Seasonal patterns of dead ants show a decrease during the dry seasons and increase during the rainy seasons.

	==Behavior & Reproduction==		==Behavior & Reproduction==

Mlarson5: /* Description */

2022-05-13T00:43:19Z

Description

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:43, 12 May 2022
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	==Description==		==Description==
	[[File:18B9217B-CCB4-4DFF-BB9C-23ED2EFCC0BF.png \|200px\|thumb\|O. unilateralis growing out of an infected host ant]]		[[File:18B9217B-CCB4-4DFF-BB9C-23ED2EFCC0BF.png \|200px\|thumb\|O. unilateralis growing out of an infected host ant]]
	Once the reproductive structure becomes visible on the dead host, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is easily identifiable. This fungus normally creates a single darkly colored stroma just below the head of the dead ant hose in an area refereed to as the pronotum region. Just below the tip of the stroma, the perithecia (spore producing reproductive structure) can be observed.		Once the reproductive structure becomes visible on the dead host, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is easily identifiable. This fungus normally creates a single darkly colored stroma just below the head of the dead ant hose in an area refereed to as the pronotum region. [5] Just below the tip of the stroma, the perithecia (spore producing reproductive structure) can be observed.

	==Habitat and Range==		==Habitat and Range==

Mlarson5: /* References */

2022-05-13T00:43:06Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:43, 12 May 2022
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	[4] Araújo JP, Evans HC, Kepler R, Hughes DP (June 2018). "Ophiocordyceps. I. Myrmecophilous hirsutelloid species". Studies in Mycology. 90: 119–160.		[4] Araújo JP, Evans HC, Kepler R, Hughes DP (June 2018). "Ophiocordyceps. I. Myrmecophilous hirsutelloid species". Studies in Mycology. 90: 119–160.

			[5] Evans HC, Elliot SL, Hughes DP (September 2011). "Ophiocordyceps unilateralis: A keystone species for unraveling ecosystem functioning and biodiversity of fungi in tropical forests?". Communicative & Integrative Biology. 4 (5): 598–602