Birth and death in one image: This macro shot shows the fruiting bodies of a parasitic “zombie fungus” growing out of a fly. The fungus has developed inside the insect, infiltrating its brain as well. In doing so, the neuroparasite tricks its host into running to a location favorable for the fungal spores to multiply—the doomed insect becomes a fungus-controlled zombie.
In the course of evolution, some organisms have developed a particularly sophisticated dispersal strategy – they became Neuroparasiten. These evolve within an animal, influencing its behavior to their own advantage. For example, liver fluke cercariae trick ants into climbing the tops of blades of grass to be eaten, allowing the parasite to reach its host, a cow or sheep. The toxoplasmosis pathogen blocks the natural fear response of rodents, which are then eaten by cats, for the same reason.
Zombie mushroom caught in the act
Another example of such a neuroparasite is shown in this photo taken in a national park in Peru: it shows a fly with a parasitic fungus growing out of its body. This macro image was created by biologist Roberto García-Roa from the University of Valencia in Spain. He thus won first prize in the photo competition of the specialist journal BMC Ecology and Evolution. “The fascinating image illustrates the simultaneity of life and death: the death of the fly gives new life to the fungus,” says Christy Anna Hipsley of the journal’s editorial team.
“My shot shows a competition shaped by thousands of years of evolution,” explains García-Roa. “The spores of the so-called zombie fungus infiltrated the exoskeleton and then the fly’s mind, causing it to seek a location optimal for the fungus to grow. Then the fruiting bodies of the fungus break out of the body of the fly and can infect other victims with their spores.”
In addition to this winning image, other scientists were also recognized for capturing the fascinating adaptations and interrelationships of organisms in the image. The photo competition is intended to give evolutionary biologists and ecologists the opportunity to present their research area in a creative way and present it to the public. “The winning images were selected both for their technical quality and beauty, and for the scientific stories they tell,” said Jennifer Harman of the editorial team. (BMC Ecology and Evolution, 2022; doi: 10.1186/s12862-022-02049-y)
Quelle: BMC (BioMed Central)
