A fortuitous discovery during the filming of the BBC documentary “Winterwatch” in 2021 has led to the identification of a new species of fungus that, to reproduce, turns cave spiders into “zombies”.
The organism, named Gibellula attenboroughii in honor of the renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough, was first discovered in an old Victorian gunpowder storehouse amidst the ruins of an Irish castle, Castle Espie, in Northern Ireland.
Altered behavior and spread of the fungus that transforms spiders into zombies
This white and fluffy fungus mainly infects the spider Metellina merianae, a species that usually prefers the darkness of caves and other underground spaces.
Most impressively, it has the ability to modify the behavior of its victims, causing infected spiders to leave their usual shelters and move to exposed places on ceilings and walls, a behavior completely opposite to their natural instincts.
Biological manipulation in action
The infection process, as explained to Live Science by lead researcher Harry Evans, is extremely complex. The fungus enters the spider through its hemocoel —a fluid similar to blood in invertebrates— and, through chemical signals and a lethal toxin, drives it to abandon the safety of its burrow.
Once the spider is exposed, G. attenboroughii mummifies the corpse using its own antibiotics to preserve it, absorbs all its nutrients, and when conditions are favorable, develops structures to disperse its spores.
This control mechanism, reminiscent of the manipulation observed in ants infected by fungi of the genus Ophiocordyceps —which inspired the series “The Last of Us”—, favors that infected spiders die in exposed places, where air currents can transport the spores to new locations.
New species and medicinal potential
Following the initial discovery, the researchers, who described their findings in the journal “Fungal Systematics and Evolution,” have found more specimens of the fungus in cave systems in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, also infecting another species of cave spider, Meta menardi.
Based on available photographs, scientists suspect that the fungus could also be present in Wales.
The discovery goes beyond mere scientific curiosity. Evans points out that this fungus could be a true “medicinal treasure trove” due to the antibiotics and other substances it produces.
Furthermore, according to Live Science, this discovery barely scratches the surface: scientists estimate that the fungal kingdom could harbor between 10 and 20 million species, of which only 1% has been described.
Initially, the authors considered naming it Gibellula bangbangus —in reference to the old gunpowder storehouse where it was found—, but they ultimately decided to pay tribute to Sir David Attenborough.
The renowned naturalist already has other species named after him, from a miniature orchid to a ghost shrimp, and now adds a surprising “zombie” fungus that will likely continue to generate much discussion in the scientific community.
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