If it were the plot of a horror film, it would not disfigure alongside science fiction classics. But this story does not arise from fantasy: In Northern Ireland, a new kind of mushroom was discovered, Gibellula Attenborughii, capable of infecting spiders and manipulating their behavior until they take them to death. The discovery, took place almost by chance during the filming of the BBC Winterwatch serieswas subsequently deepened by the researchers of the CAB International, who published the results on Fungal Systematics and Evolution magazine.
A mushroom never seen before
Gibellula Attenborughiiso baptized In honor of the famous naturalist Sir David Attenboroughhas a whitish and soft appearance. It was found for the first time in 2021 in the ceiling of an abandoned ammunition depositwithin the Castle Espie’s wet reserve, in Northern Ireland. From there, the research led to the discovery of other specimens on caverns walls both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.
Scientists observed that spiders infected with the mushroom, belonging to the species Metelline merianae, they move out of their safe shelters to die in exposed positionslike ceilings and walls. An anomalous behavior that immediately made one think of a case of parasitic manipulation.
Unconscious zombies
The mechanism of action of Gibellula Attenborughii Remember that of mushrooms of the genre Ophiocordyceps, Known to infect the ants transforming them into zombies. According to the studio, the spine spins in the body of the spider and spread in its emeiole, the internal cavity where the equivalent invertebrate of the blood flows. At this point, The mushroom releases chemicals that alter the guest’s behaviorpushing him to leave his lair to position himself in a strategic point for the dispersion of the spores. Once the spider dies, The mushroom mummifies and uses its body as a propagation platform.
Harry Evansthe main author of the study, he explained that the mushroom produces long filamentous structures from the body of the spider, which serve to spread the spores in the air and infect new guests. “This strategy It allows the mushroom to maximize the possibilities of diffusion in humid and dark environmentslike caves and basements, “said Evans.
The discovery of Gibellula Attenborughii is not only a fascinating case of biological manipulation, but could have significant implications in the medical field. Mushrooms of the genre Gibellula they produce bioactive metabolites, including antibiotics and antimicrobial substanceswhich could prove to be useful in pharmaceutical research. “It could be a real chest of medicinal compounds still to be explored,” said Evans.
Scholars also underline that the discovery of this new species is only the tip of the iceberg. Ireland and the British islands could host many other species of parasites still unknownable to interact with insects and arachnids in surprising ways.
The next step will be analyze more deeply the compounds produced by the mushroom to evaluate their possible medical applications. In addition, researchers intend to investigate the actual spread of Gibellula Attenborughii in other regions of Europe, where it could be present without ever being identified.
