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<p>Among parasitic organisms, certain species such as <i>Ophiocordyceps</i> fungi are known to manipulate host behavior in ways that enhance parasite fitness—a phenomenon referred to as the extended phenotype. Typically, infected ants are induced to ascend vegetation and die in positions that favor fungal development and spore dispersal. While many <i>Ophiocordyceps</i> species elicit the characteristic “death grip,” wherein ants bite onto leaf veins prior to death, ants infected by <i>O. pseudolloydii</i> do not exhibit this behavior. In the present study, we found that <i>O. pseudolloydii</i>-infected ants were predominantly located at lower vertical strata compared to ants infected by <i>O. unilateralis</i> sensu lato within the same forest ecosystem. Most cadavers were positioned near the midrib and center of the leaf surface. Morphometric analyses revealed no significant differences in leaf shape traits such as solidity, roundness, circularity, aspect ratio, and dissection index between <i>E. lineolatum</i> var. <i>majus</i> leaves (on which most cadavers were found) and other leaves at comparable heights. These findings suggest that, in the absence of the death grip, <i>O. pseudolloydii</i> may rely on alternative mechanisms for host positioning. One possible factor is the presence of leaf trichomes, which may enhance ant attachment by increasing friction and offering additional anchorage points. However, this hypothesis requires further experimental validation under controlled laboratory conditions. Additionally, the displacement of ants attempting to attach in less stable locations due to environmental forces cannot be ruled out. Collectively, these results highlight alternative parasitic manipulation strategies and underscore the potential influence of microhabitat features on host behavior and fungal transmission dynamics.</p>

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The choice of dying position and leaf shape in non-death grip zombie ants

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月15日

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  • Shiang-Chi Huang,
  • Jui-Yu Chou

摘要

Among parasitic organisms, certain species such as Ophiocordyceps fungi are known to manipulate host behavior in ways that enhance parasite fitness—a phenomenon referred to as the extended phenotype. Typically, infected ants are induced to ascend vegetation and die in positions that favor fungal development and spore dispersal. While many Ophiocordyceps species elicit the characteristic “death grip,” wherein ants bite onto leaf veins prior to death, ants infected by O. pseudolloydii do not exhibit this behavior. In the present study, we found that O. pseudolloydii-infected ants were predominantly located at lower vertical strata compared to ants infected by O. unilateralis sensu lato within the same forest ecosystem. Most cadavers were positioned near the midrib and center of the leaf surface. Morphometric analyses revealed no significant differences in leaf shape traits such as solidity, roundness, circularity, aspect ratio, and dissection index between E. lineolatum var. majus leaves (on which most cadavers were found) and other leaves at comparable heights. These findings suggest that, in the absence of the death grip, O. pseudolloydii may rely on alternative mechanisms for host positioning. One possible factor is the presence of leaf trichomes, which may enhance ant attachment by increasing friction and offering additional anchorage points. However, this hypothesis requires further experimental validation under controlled laboratory conditions. Additionally, the displacement of ants attempting to attach in less stable locations due to environmental forces cannot be ruled out. Collectively, these results highlight alternative parasitic manipulation strategies and underscore the potential influence of microhabitat features on host behavior and fungal transmission dynamics.