Metanae woven spiders of infected sub-family living in a cave Gibellula AttenBoroughii It shows a change in behavior similar to what was reported about zombie ants.
Gibellula AttenBoroughii Habitat and paratype, on Metamenardi。 0.5 mm for scale bar- (c), 0.25 mm for (d). Image credit: Evans et al。 , Doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.07.
Giberla It is a specific and pathogenic fungus on spiders containing more than 30 recognized species.
Most of these species have tropical distribution from subtropical.
There are few records of the genus of the British Islands. Gibellla Alanearam。
For BBC Winter Watch In the 2021 television series, a spid of fungi -infected was discovered on the ceiling of the abandoned gunpowder, taken at the Northern Ireland location, and was provisionally identified. Gibellula pulchra。
Image sent from BBC It suggests that HARRY EVANS is a new species to Cab International Researcher. Giberla Aus.
“Based on both morphological and molecular evidence, fungi was confirmed as a new species, and was named after a natural historian David Attenbow IR. BBC “Natural History Program,” said Dr. Evans, co -author of this research.
“Later, the spider host was identified as an orb -weaving cave spider. Metellina MerianaeAnd -with the help of a local ischemicist -further new species, Gibellula AttenBoroughiiIt was discovered in both Northern Ireland and the Ireland Republic of Cave systems and related spiders. MetamenardiOccupies in various ecological niches in the cave. “
Originally, like a type of specimen located on the ceiling of the gunpowder, all infected spiders were located on the roof or wall of the cave.
These normal CL proud spiders have moved out of the hierarchy and net and died in the exposed situation. In essence, it reflects the behavior of ants infected with the genus bacteria. OphioCordyCeps Previously, it was reported from the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil.
Such operations of the host to support the dispersion of the fungal spores have created an explanation of “zombieant bacteria”.
In their research, Dr. Evans and his colleagues used historical records and literature search to clarify hidden diversity in the subordinates. Giberla In the British Islands, there is evidence of a widespread illness of the Norfols and Wales spiders.
“Their roles in the dynamics of the spider group will guarantee further research as well as metabolites they produce, so that they can use such a very specific ecological niche,” he said. Ta.
The discovery is reported in A paper Journal Economics and evolution of fungi。
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HC Evans et al。 Bacterial attributes Giberla (Cordycipitaceae: Failure) In the British Islands, it includes a new zombie species of Orb -weaving cave spiders (Metanae). Economics and evolution of fungiReleased online on January 24, 2025. Doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.07
Source: www.sci.news
