Fact Check: "99 million-year-old amber reveals ancient zombie fungus infecting flies."
What We Know
Recent discoveries have revealed ancient parasitic fungi preserved in amber, dating back approximately 99 million years. These findings indicate that such "zombie" fungi were infecting insects long before the present day. Specifically, two specimens have been identified: one featuring a fungus, P. ironomyiae, erupting from the head of a fly, and another, P. gerontoformicae, emerging from a pupating ant. Both specimens provide some of the oldest evidence of fungal parasites hijacking insect bodies, suggesting that these interactions have existed alongside the dinosaurs (CNN, Science Alert).
Analysis
The claim that 99 million-year-old amber reveals an ancient zombie fungus infecting flies is supported by multiple credible sources. The research published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B indicates that these fungi are closely related to modern-day species in the genus Ophiocordyceps, known for their parasitic relationships with insects (Science Alert, IFL Science). The paleoentomologist Edmund Jarzembowski notes that the fossil evidence shows these fungi were already adapted to infect two different insect hosts, which indicates a long evolutionary history of parasitism (Science Alert, Phys.org).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are published by established scientific outlets and peer-reviewed journals. The findings are corroborated by multiple studies and expert opinions, which lend credibility to the assertion that these fungi represent some of the earliest examples of parasitic relationships in the insect world.
Conclusion
The claim that "99 million-year-old amber reveals ancient zombie fungus infecting flies" is True. The evidence presented from multiple scientific sources confirms that these ancient fungi were indeed capable of infecting and ultimately killing their insect hosts, showcasing a long history of parasitic relationships that predates many modern species.
Sources
- Zombie fungus erupts from ancient fly trapped in amber | CNN Link
- 'Zombie' Fungus Caught Bursting From Host Bodies 99 Million Years Ago | Science Alert Link
- Zombifying fungi have been infecting insects for 99 million years | Science News Link
- 99-Million-Year-Old Amber Fossils Mark The Oldest Known Example Of ... | IFL Science Link
- Fossil fungi trapped in amber reveal ancient origin of parasitic zombie ... | Phys.org Link
