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Posted by Corso on November 7, 2009, 2:54 pm
88.149.162.173
I ran into this site by chance, and I thought it might have interested you... here is the description translated by me :3 there are other images if you click on this one, if you wish I can traslate the others as well ^^
Ants belonging to the species Camponotus leonardi whitch are infected by a kind of mushroom (Ophiocordyceps unilateralis) move commanded by the parasite. Usually these ants can be found on the top of tropical trees but once infected they move toward the lower leaves, stopping right in the place which is best for the mushroom growth (which needs specific heat height and direction). Once they get to destination, ants bite a vein of the leaf: the "bite of death".
Ants die because their internal parts are metabolyzed by the mushroom they got inside. In the end, the invader get out from the body of the host and releases its spores which get to the ground, creating a death carpet for any other ant which crosses it.
Corso.
Sharky said so =P
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