Ophiocordyceps camponoti-rufipedis explained
Ophiocordyceps camponoti-rufipedis is a species of fungus that parasitizes insect hosts, in particular members of the order Hymenoptera.[1] It was first isolated from Viçosa, Minas Gerais, at an altitude of 700m (2,300feet) on Camponotus rufipes.
Description
This species' mycelium is densely produced from all of its orifices and sutures; it is initially a silky white, becoming a ginger colour. Its stromata is single, produced from a dorsal pronotum measuring between 5mm8mm and 15mm in length, which is cylindrical, dark brown at its base, and pinkish in the fertile upper part. The ascomata are immersed and flask-shaped, measuring up to 130mm, including a short ostiole.
Its asci are 8-spored, hyaline and cylindrical, while the ascospores are multiserriate and vermiform; its apex is acute, with a rounded base.
Further reading
- Evans, Harry C., Simon L. Elliot, and David P. Hughes. "Ophiocordyceps unilateralis: A keystone species for unraveling ecosystem functioning and biodiversity of fungi in tropical forests?." Communicative & integrative biology4.5 (2011): 598–602.
- Andersen, Sandra B., et al. "Disease dynamics in a specialized parasite of ant societies." PLoS ONE 7.5 (2012): e36352.
- Andersen, Sandra, and David A. Hughes. "Host specificity of parasite manipulation: Zombie ant death location in Thailand vs. Brazil." Communicative & integrative biology 5.2 (2012): 163–165.
External links
Notes and References
- Moreau. Corrie. Evans. Harry C.. Elliot. Simon L.. Hughes. David P.. Hidden Diversity Behind the Zombie-Ant Fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis: Four New Species Described from Carpenter Ants in Minas Gerais, Brazil. PLOS ONE. 6. 3. 2011. e17024. 1932-6203. 10.1371/journal.pone.0017024. 21399679. 3047535. 2011PLoSO...617024E. free.
