The ‘Parasite of Parasites’ Has Been Discovered in the Tropical Forests of Borneo
Scientists from the Universiti Malaysia Sabah have discovered a newly identified “parasite of parasites” in the tropical forests of Borneo. More specifically, it is what the researchers describe as a hyperparasite—an organism capable of parasitizing other parasites. In this case, its targets are zombie fungi.
The new fungal species, named Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata for its distinctive horn-shaped structure, has been described in the journal Phytotaxa.
The Discovery
The new hyperparasite was identified during a series of field expeditions in the remote Danum Valley region of the Malaysian state of Sabah. According to Phys.org, researchers came across Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata almost by chance while examining a dead ant.
The newly discovered fungus specifically targets ants already infected by Ophiocordyceps, commonly known as the zombie fungus. This microorganism infects insects—particularly ants—by manipulating their nervous systems and driving them to perform behaviors that facilitate the spread of its spores before ultimately killing the...
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