The Spread of ‘Zombie’ Spiders Caused by Fungal Infection: A Real-Life Paradox
In recent times, scientists across the globe have been observing a bizarre and alarming phenomenon reminiscent of scenes from the popular video game and TV series ‘The Last of Us.’ This involves the appearance of spiders infected with a parasitic fungus called Gibellula attenboroughii.
This fungus infiltrates the spider’s body, destroying its internal tissues and transforming it into a striking, whitish carcass.
Infected spiders lose control of their behavior and leave their hiding places, becoming hyperactive and moving into open areas like trees and leaves, thereby facilitating the spread of fungal spores.
The first case of this new fungal species was discovered in early 2021 at a disused warehouse in Northern Ireland during BBC filming, and was named after renowned naturalist David Attenborough.
Since then, reports of infected spiders have emerged from various regions worldwide, including the USA, the UK, Russia, and Scotland.
Mycologists emphasize that these fungi pose no direct threat to humans, but their unsettling appearance continues to evoke fears rooted in popular zombie apocalypse stories.
Experts predict that climate change and rising temperatures may further facilitate the proliferation of infectious fungi, raising concern among scientists and ecologists.
The fungus Gibellula attenboroughii invades the spider’s body through cracks in its exoskeleton, gradually dismantling tissues and altering the spider’s behavior.
Typically, spiders remain alive for several weeks after infection, but exhibit hyperactivity, leaving their usual habitats and moving into well-lit areas to promote spore dispersal.
Recently, infected spiders have been found in garden and forest ecosystems, heightening concern over potential ecological impacts.
Medical researchers assure that Gibellula attenboroughii does not currently threaten humans; however, the disturbing visual of infected spiders remains a traumatic sight.
There are ongoing studies exploring the fungus’s potential applications in medicine, specifically in developing new therapies against cancer.
Interestingly, despite its toxic nature, certain fungal compounds from Gibellula are being investigated for their promising anticancer properties, offering hope for future biomedical advancements.