Fact Check: 99 million-year-old amber reveals ancient fly with zombie fungus bursting from its head.

Fact Check: "99 million-year-old amber reveals ancient fly with zombie fungus bursting from its head."

What We Know

Recent discoveries in amber have revealed two ancient specimens, one being a fly and the other a young ant, both infected with a type of parasitic fungus known as Ophiocordyceps. These fossils date back approximately 99 million years to the Cretaceous period. The fly specimen, specifically, shows a mushroom-like fruiting body of the fungus protruding from its head, which has drawn comparisons to the "zombie fungus" phenomenon depicted in popular culture, such as in the HBO series "The Last of Us" (CNN, Science Alert).

The study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, identified two new species of fungi: Paleoophiocordyceps gerontoformicae from the ant and Paleoophiocordyceps ironomyiae from the fly (Science Alert, IFL Science). This discovery suggests that complex ecological relationships involving parasitic fungi and insects existed much earlier than previously thought.

Analysis

The claim that a 99 million-year-old amber fossil reveals a fly with a zombie fungus bursting from its head is supported by multiple credible sources. The findings are based on rigorous scientific research conducted by a team led by Yuhui Zhuang, a doctoral student at the Institute of Paleontology at Yunnan University (CNN). The study utilized advanced techniques, including optical microscopy and micro-computed tomography, to analyze the fossils, ensuring a high level of scientific reliability.

The Ophiocordyceps genus is well-documented for its parasitic behavior, where it infects and manipulates the behavior of its hosts, primarily insects. This behavior is consistent with the characteristics observed in the ancient specimens, reinforcing the claim's validity (Science Alert, IFL Science). The source material also discusses the evolutionary implications of these findings, indicating that such parasitic relationships were already established during the Cretaceous period, which adds depth to the claim.

The reliability of the sources is bolstered by their scientific nature and the involvement of reputable institutions, such as the Natural History Museum and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Additionally, the peer-reviewed publication of the research in a respected scientific journal further supports the credibility of the findings (Science Alert, IFL Science).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that a 99 million-year-old amber fossil reveals an ancient fly with a zombie fungus bursting from its head is substantiated by credible scientific research and findings. The evidence presented in the study, along with the historical context of parasitic fungi, confirms the authenticity of this remarkable discovery.

Fact Check: 99 million-year-old amber reveals ancient fly with zombie fungus bursting from its head.