Evidence for fungus that causes zombie ants found 48 million years ago.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100818105730.htmIf you are unaware of what "zombie ants" are, there is a fungus that infects the brain of ants and takes control. The ant is then compelled to climb to a prime location on a leaf and clamp down with a "death grip". In their last hours, infected ants move towards the underside of the leaf they are on and lock their mandibles in a 'death grip' around the central vein, immobilising themselves and locking the fungus in position. The fungus cannot grow high up in the canopy or on the forest floor, but infected ants often die on leaves midway between the two, where the humidity and temperature suit the fungus. Once an ant has died, the fungus sprouts from its head and produces a pod of spores, which are fired at night on to the forest floor, where they can infect other ants.Edited by hooah212002, : No reason given.

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I saw this. It's very cool (like the fungi itself).But I'm a little unconvinced by the evidence put forth. It seems a little too indirect. Although given the long history of ants is not implausible.

And this was designed by a being we are supposed to worship Do you ever get the feeling that Jesus and God the Father are just Nyarlathotep and Azathoth having a giggle?

I somewhat thought this as well, given that the leaf fossils they found only had "simlar markings". It could have been anything, I suppose.

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Had I read more H.P. Lovecraft, I would be inclined to agree.

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This only goes to show that the Zombocalypse is a case of when, not if: fungus, solunam, hell over flowing, it's going to happen one way or another.

Are these minions of the Dread Cthulhu taking over the minds of snails? These are preliminary experiments I tell you! Humans are next! Linky