Find out if Cordyceps fungus really exists outside the ‘The Last of Us’ universe, whose plot can be accompanied on games and TV
Both in the Naughty Dog game and the series of HBOin ‘The Last of Us’ the protagonists Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) live in a dystopian future caused by a fungal pandemic that emerged twenty years ago in this universe after the mutation of a fungus named Cordyceps.
The story was so successful that it has a third season already confirmed and a second about to debut on HBO and Max, as the new episodes are scheduled for Sunday, 13.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bycsuhcwjmu
The premise of the title is that the girl is the only human who survived to be infected and embarks on a mission to be used to create a cure or antidote that would end the infection.
It turns out that the fungus controls the host’s nervous system and continues to grow inside the infected body. In addition, those who house the body within themselves become vehicles of transmission and act violently as they seek new hosts to the fungus, which is transmitted through bites.
Although the story is fictional, the creator of the narrative, Neil Druckmannhe actually inspired for the creation of the pandemic that almost ended human life on Earth, as the Cordyceps fungus really exists and has over 400 species.
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis?
The version that served as the basis for the series body is Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis, also known as ‘Fungo Zumbi’, which came to the knowledge of Druckmann Through a 2008 documentary, the ‘Planet Earth’ – the point is that different from the game and the series, in nature the fungus takes over the insect body.
Discovered in 1859 by the British naturalist Alfred Russel WallaceOphiocordyceps unilateralis is found predominantly in tropical forests, as in the Amazon, as warm and humid environments facilitate the proliferation of this fungus.
More than that, the ideal host also lives in places like these. Who is it? The Camotus cruntatus ant, found in America, Europe and Africa, which, besides being in the perfect place, still feeds on fungi.
How does Ophiocordyceps unilateralis age?
The fungus infection lasts 2 to 5 days in ants. When you take hold of your body, it continues to grow inside the insect organism, leaving it with a whitish look, looking like mold, and spreading out of the animal’s head.
It turns out that during this period, the microscopic spores of Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spread inside and out, as well as causing paralysis in the host members through the action of fungus -secreted neurotoxins. As a result, the ant is bewildered and leaves in the anthill in search of brighter places and even when they die, they are useful as they serve as food for the fungus, as the biotechnologist explains Tainah Colombo Gomes to the butantan portal.
The process was described by the senior technician of the Development and Innovation Laboratory (LDI) Rafael Conrado to the butantan portal:
“This fungus causes the ant to have a very specific behavior: when leaving the anthill, it clings to a nearby and, already fixed plant, grows in its head the fruit body, which is the reproductive organ of the fungus. This is where the cordyceps releases its spores, which can infect other ants right there, be deposited in the ground, or be taken by wind or insects to other locations.”
Although not rational, ant survival instinct causes them to protect themselves, since in the anthill, when an infected animal is perceived by workers, it is removed to preserve the colony.
Source: Recreio
