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Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

Domain: Eukarya

Phylum: Ascomycota

Class: Sordariomycetes

Order: Hypocerales

Family: Ophiocordycipitaceae

Species

NCBI: [1]

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis s.l.

Also referred to as the "zombie ant fungus"

Background

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, often referred to as the "Zombie Ant Fungus", was first discovered by biologist Alfred Wallace Russel in 1859 (Hughes et. Al 2011). It infects Campotini and Formicinae ants, turning them into zombies and utilizing them as tools for propagation (Hughes et. Al 2011, Evans et. Al 2017). Numerous studies have focused on characterizing the infection mechanisms and secondary metabolites produced by Ophiocordyceps unilateralis in order to better understand how this fungus manipulates its ant hosts (Hughes et. Al 2011, Bekker et. Al 2017).Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is commonly found in tropical forest environments throughout the world (Evans et. Al 2011).

Life Cycle, Cell Structure, Metabolism

Interesting features of the life cycle, spores produced, reproductive features; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Genome Structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; environmental or industrial relevance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as host symptoms.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Author

Page authored by Aki Egami, student of Dr. Marc Orbach, University of Arizona .