Scientists recently uncovered a new species of fungus that turns spiders into "zombies," manipulating their behavior before ultimately killing them. The fungus, named Gibellula attenboroughii in honor of renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough, was first described in a study published on January 24 in the journal Fungal Systematics and Evolution.
The discovery was made during the filming of the BBC documentary Winterwatch in Northern Ireland in 2021. A television crew noticed a peculiar spider with white, fluffy mycelium on the ceiling of an old gunpowder storehouse. These spiders, typically reclusive and found in dark, damp places like caves and cellars, were exhibiting unusual behavior by leaving their webs and dying in exposed locations—a phenomenon that was highly unusual for the species Metellina merianae.
Researchers collected samples of the infected spiders and conducted DNA analysis, confirming that they had discovered a completely new species of fungus. Initially, it was named Gibellula bangbangus, a nod to the gunpowder store where it was found, but the study authors later changed the species name to honor Sir David Attenborough.
Gibellula attenboroughii infects the cave spider Metellina merianae by penetrating the host's body and infecting its hemocoel—the cavity containing the invertebrate equivalent of blood. The fungus manipulates the spiders' behavior, causing them to abandon their nests and move to more exposed areas before killing them. After the spider's death, the fungus absorbs all the nutrients from the body and releases antibiotics to preserve the corpse during mummification. Under favorable conditions, such as high humidity in caves, it produces elongated structures on the spider to disperse spores, enhancing their spread through air currents.
Photographs of the infected spiders reveal they are nearly entirely covered by the fluffy white fungus. This appearance is reminiscent of the "zombie-ant" fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, which infects ants in tropical rainforests. Experts have noted similarities between Gibellula attenboroughii and parasitic fungi from the genus Ophiocordyceps, which manipulate their hosts to die in elevated or exposed locations to enhance spore dispersal.
"This manipulation of the host serves to spread the fungus's spores," said Harry Evans, a researcher and Emeritus Fellow at CAB International (CABI), emphasizing the intricate relationship between the parasite and its host.
Evans noted that G. attenboroughii is a medicinal treasure chest with valuable insights for human medicines.
Following the initial discovery, co-author Tim Fogg found more examples of the fungus in cave systems across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Researchers believe the fungus likely uses chemical signals to lure cave spiders out of their nests and guide them outdoors, facilitating the spread of its spores.
"There is no risk of human infection from G. attenboroughii, unlike the fictional scenario in 'The Last of Us'," said Dr. Michel Dugon, a zoologist at the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Galway.
Evans noted that the endpoint of this research should be the potential human medicines that could come from the antibiotics and other substances produced by the fungus. "The kingdom of fungi could number up to 10, 20 million species, making it by far the largest kingdom in nature, but only 1% has been described," he remarked.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.