Researchers from the University of Central Florida have found that the fungus parasite Cordyceps, which turns ants into zombies, takes control of the biological clock of its victims. This allows him to control insect behavior and spread spores. The study is briefly reported on Phys.org.
Cordyceps infested ants leave their nests, climb plants such as Spanish moss or pine trees, and die. From their head grows the fruiting body of the fungus, which spreads its spores over long distances, capturing the nervous system of new insects.
Scientists analyzed the activity of genes of fungal cultures that grew on a nutrient medium, first under constant light for 48 hours, and then for five days with a 24-hour cycle. It turned out that cyclical changes in the concentration of transcription factors, molecules that control DNA activity, were observed in the fungus organism. Their content reached its peak during daylight hours. In addition, the amount of various enzymes, toxins and small biologically active components increased at night.
Thus, the influence of cordyceps on the victim's body is determined by the time of day, which makes the behavior of the infected ant dependent on the biological clock of the fungus. Scientists plan to figure out exactly how the capture of the insects' circadian rhythms allows the parasite to manipulate the victim.
Circadian rhythms are called cyclical fluctuations in the intensity of various biological processes due to the change of day and night.