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This process takes 4–10 days. [9] Dead ants are found in areas termed "graveyards" which contain high densities of dead ants previously infected by the same fungus. [16] The term "zombie ants" has been used in popular media as well as scientific articles, but has also been described as "catchy, yet misleading." [17] [18]
The ant clamps its jaws around the plant in a "death grip" and following, mycelia grow from the ant's feet and stitch them to the surface of the plant. [9] The spores released from the ant carcass fall to the ground and infect other ants that come in contact with the spores so that this cycle continues. [ 10 ]
Leucocoprinus gongylophorus is a fungus in the family Agaricaceae which is cultivated by certain leafcutter ants. [1] Like other species of fungi cultivated by ants, L. gongylophorus produces gongylidia, nutrient-rich hyphal swellings upon which the ants feed. [2] Production of mushrooms occurs only once ants abandon the nest. [3]
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Rickia wasmannii is a species of the widely distributed entomoparasitic order of fungi Laboulbeniales. [1] It is an obligatory ectoparasite of ants of the genus Myrmica.The thalli penetrate outer layer of the cuticle, and appear on the host body surface.
The fungus needs the ants to stay alive, and the larvae need the fungus to stay alive, so mutualism is obligatory. The fungi used by the higher attine ants no longer produce spores. These ants fully domesticated their fungal partner 15 million years ago, a process that took 30 million years to complete. [13]
Fungus-growing ants (tribe Attini) comprise all the known fungus-growing ant species participating in ant–fungus mutualism. They are known for cutting grasses and leaves, carrying them to their colonies' nests, and using them to grow fungus on which they later feed. Their farming habits typically have large effects on their surrounding ecosystem.