Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Center for Preparedness and Response. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Zombie Preparedness. Minus Related Pages. Zombie Preparedness Products. Zombie Preparedness Blog. Zombie Preparedness for Educators. The word refers to creatures from Haitian folklore that, at its origin , was little more than the ghosts from Western folklore. In this special feature, we investigate.
Ophiocordyceps is a genus of fungi that has more than species , and mycologists are still counting. Many species of fungi can be dangerous, often because they are toxic to animals, but there is one thing in particular that makes Ophiocordyceps especially frightening.
One of these species, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato , specifically infects, controls, and kills carpenter ants Camponotus castaneus , native to North America. When Ophiocordyceps unilateralis infect carpenter ants, they turn them into zombies. The ants become compelled to climb to the top of elevated vegetation, where they remain affixed and die. The high elevation allows the fungus to grow and later spread its spores widely. Below, you can watch a video showing how the parasitic fungus infects its victims, leading them to their death.
They found that a previously unknown species of the Zatypota wasp can manipulate spiders from the Anelosimus eximius species to an extent that researchers have never before witnessed in nature. But Fernandez-Fournier and team noticed that members of this species infected with Zatypota larva exhibited bizarre behavior, leaving their colony to weave tightly-spun, cocoon-like webs in remote locations.
Further research presented a gruesome string of events. The Zatypota wasps lay eggs on the abdomen of A. When the egg hatches and the wasp larva emerges, it starts feeding on the spider and begins to take control of its body.
When the larva has gained full control of its host, it turns it into a zombie-like creature that is compelled to stray away from its mates and spin the cocoon-like nest that will allow the larva to grow into the adult wasp.
But while reviving dead humans may not be on the cards for our race just yet, reviving other organisms is. This can be particularly unsettling when we think that those organisms are… viruses. Giant viruses are called this way because, though still tiny, they are easily visible under the microscope. But there is something else that makes P. It is a DNA virus that contains a large number of genes — as many as , to be precise. This is in stark contrast with other DNA viruses, such as the human immunodeficiency virus HIV , which only contains about 12 genes in all.
The size of giant viruses, as well as the fact that they contain such a large amount of DNA, can make them particularly dangerous, explain the researchers who discovered P. Yet Claverie and Abergel warn that there may be similar giant viruses buried inside the permafrost that could prove dangerous to humans. Sure meeting the Biebs may be on your bucket list, but the police, the fire department, your doctor, and maybe a zombie hunter like Milla Jovovich would serve you better during an emergency.
Milla Jovovich has starred as Alice the zombie slayer, in the Resident Evil movie series. A fourth recommendation from the CDC is plan your evacuation route. Know where to go to get out of town quickly during an emergency. Memorize this route. This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here. More From Forbes. Nov 12, , am EST. Nov 11, , pm EST. Nov 10, , pm EST. Nov 10, , am EST. Edit Story.
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