Prelude To The Coming Zombie Apocalypse
Via Ace, here’s another reason to burn down the rain forest
Scientists have identified four new species of brain-controlling fungi that turn ants into zombies that do the parasite’s bidding before it kills them.
Identified from samples collected at two sites in Brazil’s tropical rain forest, each of the four species specializes in controlling a different species of carpenter ant.
…Once it infects an ant, the fungus uses as-yet-unidentified chemicals to control the ant’s behavior, Hughes told LiveScience. It directs the ant to leave its colony (a very un-ant-like thing to do), vote Democratic in every election it can and bite down on the underside of a leaf — the ant’s soon-to-be resting place. Once it is killed by the fungus, the ant remains anchored in place, thanks to its death grip on the leaf.
Ultimately, the fungus produces a long stalk that protrudes from the ant’s head (much like Nancy Pelosi’s hairstyle), 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.
Save the world: Destroy the Rain Forests.
Do it for the children.
Fun, Public Service Announcement, World Stuff | Mr. Bingley | 
March 5, 2011 1:47 pm
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If scientists can develop a strain of this fungus that attacks only Democrats, the world may yet be saved.
This fungus has probably been in control of the Democratic party since 1912.
Consider, if you will, the reproductive cycle of the wasp know as the “Tarantula Hawk”…
Somehow I don’t know if the ant leaves the colony because the fungus said so… I think it’s much more likely that the ant’s instinct makes it leave the colony when it’s unwell, to keep whatever will kill it from infecting the whole colony… like, for instance, a fungus that sprouts from its carcass and shoots infecting spores into the immediate area.