The ‘Parasite of Parasites’ Has Been Discovered in the Tropical Forests of Borneo

Scientists from the Universiti Malaysia Sabah person discovered a recently identified “parasite of parasites” successful the tropical forests of Borneo. More specifically, it is what the researchers picture arsenic a hyperparasite—an organism susceptible of parasitizing different parasites. In this case, its targets are zombie fungi.

The caller fungal species, named Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata for its distinctive horn-shaped structure, has been described successful the diary Phytotaxa.

The Discovery

The caller hyperparasite was identified during a bid of tract expeditions successful the distant Danum Valley portion of the Malaysian authorities of Sabah. According to Phys.org, researchers came crossed Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata astir by accidental portion examining a dormant ant.

The recently discovered fungus specifically targets ants already infected by Ophiocordyceps, commonly known arsenic the zombie fungus. This microorganism infects insects—particularly ants—by manipulating their tense systems and driving them to execute behaviors that facilitate the dispersed of its spores earlier yet sidesplitting the host.

A Parasite of Parasites

Unlike the zombie fungus, the hyperparasite does not instrumentality power of the ant itself. Instead, it attacks the zombie fungus already increasing wrong the insect. “Rather than manipulating the insect's tense strategy itself, Pleurocordyceps infiltrates and feeds straight connected the thriving Ophiocordyceps insubstantial wrong the host,” said Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan, lawman manager of Malaysia Sabah's Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC) and 1 of the species’ discoverers, successful an interrogation with AFP.

There are different hyperparasites successful the world, but Seelan noted that this is the archetypal with this peculiar horn-shaped structure. “This uncommon find reveals yet different hidden furniture of complexity wrong tropical ecosystems and demonstrates however overmuch remains chartless astir the biodiversity of our forests,” the ITBC said successful a property release.

Big Implications

During the aforesaid expeditions, the researchers besides discovered a caller taxon of fungus lethal to spiders, 1 that spreads its spores passim the arachnid’s assemblage earlier sidesplitting it.

These findings widen beyond technological curiosity and could person important applicable applications, including imaginable benefits for quality health. “These recently documented fungi clasp immense potential,” Seelan told the AFP, “both arsenic sources for processing next-generation antimicrobial drugs and arsenic highly effectual biocontrol agents against cultivation pests.”

This communicative primitively appeared successful WIRED Italia and has been translated from Italian.