Ants vs Zombies

We’ve known about zombie ants for some time. These are ants infected with the parasitic fungus, O. unilateralis, which takes over their bodies amd moved them around like a zombie. This fungus is often referred to as a “brain parasite,” but new research published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that the brains of these zombie ants are left intact by the parasite, and that O. unilateralis is able to control the actions of its host by infiltrating and surrounding muscle fibers throughout the ant’s body. Jeff and Anthony wonder if these new revelations are better or worse for the ants... or us.

GET BONUS EPISODES, VIDEO HANGOUTS AND MORE. VISIT: http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns

Get all your sweet We Have Concerns merch by swinging by http://wehaveconcerns.com/shop

Hey! If you’re enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen.

Here’s the iTunes link: http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns And here’s the Stitcher link: http://bit.ly/stitcherwhconcerns

Or, you can send us mail! Our address:

We Have Concerns c/o WORLD CRIME LEAGUE

1920 Hillhurst Ave #425

Los Angeles, CA 90027-2706

Jeff on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jeffcannata

Anthony on Twitter: http://twitter.com/acarboni

Today’s story was sent in by Emil Lange: https://gizmodo.com/the-fungus-that-turns-ants-into-zombies-is-more-diaboli-1820301538

If you’ve seen a story you think belongs on the show, send it to [email protected], post in on our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/WeHaveConcerns/ or leave it on the subreddit:http://reddit.com/r/wehaveconcerns