Recent discoveries in paleontology reveal that parasitic fungi, like those depicted in the video game “The Last of US,” have a real-world counterpart. On June 11, 2025, researchers published findings about ancient cordyceps fungi that date back to the age of dinosaurs.
- Cordyceps fungi infect insects, creating "zombies."
- Fossils found in 99-million-year-old amber.
- New fungal species discovered, previously unknown.
- Research reveals ancient fungal-insect relationships.
- Evolution of fungi traced to Cretaceous period.
- Study highlights challenges in ancient fungal research.
An international team led by Yuhui Zhuang from Yunnan University found two insects infected by unknown cordyceps species preserved in 99-million-year-old amber. This study not only sheds light on the evolutionary history of these fungi but also highlights their long-standing relationship with insects.
This discovery raises intriguing questions about the evolution of parasitic fungi. How did these organisms adapt to their hosts over millions of years? The findings suggest that:
- Two newly identified fungal species belong to the genus Ophiocordyceps.
- These fungi likely originated in the early Cretaceous and evolved to infect various insect species.
- Their unique infection mechanisms may provide insights into modern fungal pathogens.
As we uncover more about these ancient fungi, we can better understand their role in ecosystems today. Continued research may lead to breakthroughs in combating modern fungal infections.
