A parasitic fungus that controls ants, turning them into ‘zombies,’ has been found to flourish not only on ant hosts but also within mosses. This discovery sheds light on how the fungus survives periods when potential hosts are scarce and explains why infected ants often die amongst moss.
The fungus, known for manipulating the behavior of ants, compels them to climb vegetation before dying in a location optimal for fungal growth and spore dispersal. Researchers have long observed this behavior, but the role of moss as a crucial habitat hadn’t been fully understood. The new findings indicate that moss provides a supportive environment for the fungus even when live ant hosts are unavailable.
The research explains why infected ants “prefer” mosses as death sites. According to ars_technica_science, this preference helps fungi survive host scarcity. By thriving within moss, the fungus can persist and readily infect new ant hosts when they become available, ensuring its continued propagation.
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