Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Specy

Zombie-ant Fungus

Fungi

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as zombie-ant fungus, is an insect-pathogenic fungus discovered by the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1859. Ants infected by the fungus, often described as zombie ants, are predominantly found in tropical rainforests.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Parasitic 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 2
Relationship to People
Source of Dye 1
Scientific Name
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis 1
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated 4
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
GNR Unranked 3
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Sordariomycetes, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Zombie-ant Fungus

In Biome

Tropical Rainforest, Biomes
Source Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, Wikipedia
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Brazil

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Norway

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sweden

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, Wikipedia
  • Introduction, first sentence
    Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as zombie-ant fungus, is an insect-pathogenic fungus
  • Article text
    Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as zombie-ant fungus, is an insect-pathogenic fungus, discovered by the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1859.
  • Article text: "These pigments are stable against acid/alkaline"
    These pigments are stable against acid/alkaline conditions and light and are not cytotoxic, which makes them applicable for food coloring and as a dye for other materials.
  • In Biome: Tropical Rainforest, Wikipedia intro: "n 1859. Zombie ants, infected by the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungus, are predominantly found in tropical rainforests. These fungi thrive in warm, humid envi..."
View the Source
2. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species APIView the Source
3. NatureServe Explorer: Ophiocordyceps unilateralis
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "GNR"
View the Source
4. GBIF (IUCN Red List category): GBIF IUCN Red List category for Ophiocordyceps unilateralis
GBIF (IUCN Red List category)GBIF taxon key 3450915, category field
Quote, GBIF taxon key 3450915, category field
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
View the Source
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
International Union for Conservation of NatureView the Source
Wikidata: Zombie-ant Fungus
  • Wikidata Q127353, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Child Taxon Of: Sordariomycetes, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.