Tiny Victims of Ancient Fungi

Deep in the past, around 99 million years ago, tiny creatures like ants and flies faced a grim fate. They were infected by fungi that still exist today. These fungi took over their bodies and minds, turning them into zombies before killing them. This is not a scary story, but a real discovery made by scientists who found these insects trapped in amber.

A Discovery in Myanmar

The insects were found in Myanmar. Scientists used special tools to study them. They saw that the fungi had grown out of the insects' heads. This showed that these fungi have been around for a very long time. The scientists also found two new types of fungi they had never seen before.

The Fungi and Their Hosts

The fungi that infected the fly and the ant were different. The one in the fly was named Paleoophiocordyceps ironomyiae. The one in the ant was named Paleoophiocordyceps gerontoformicae. These names might sound complicated, but they just describe the fungi and their hosts.

The Role of Fungi in the Past

Scientists think these fungi played a big role in the past. They likely infected insects in the same way they do today. This means that the behavior of these fungi has not changed much over millions of years. This discovery is important because it shows how old this relationship between fungi and insects is.

Rare and Valuable Findings

Finding these fossils is very rare. Scientists have looked at many amber specimens, but only a few show this kind of relationship. This makes the discovery even more valuable. It helps scientists understand how ecosystems worked in the past.