PubHawk
Am Nat September 2009 PMID 19627240

The life of a dead ant: the expression of an adaptive extended phenotype.

Sandra B Andersen, Sylvia Gerritsma, Kalsum M Yusah, David Mayntz, Nigel L Hywel-Jones, Johan Billen, Jacobus J Boomsma, David P Hughes

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Mentions

53
Peak: 2 in Apr 2019
across 6 sources since May 2016

Extended reach

2,219,401
potential audience

Total likes

32,076

Video views

2,198,445

Mentions per month

May 2016 – Apr 2023

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter20 posts
  • Blogs15 articles
  • News11 articles
  • Facebook3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reveal a strong interest in fungi, exemplified by multiple mentions of the '10 Fantastic Fungi Superpowers' video and personal admiration for fungi's biological roles, with an overall tone of curiosity and appreciation. The tone varies from humorous to scholarly, showing both casual engagement and recognition of the scientific significance of the research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions show enthusiasm or appreciation for the article and fungi, with some referencing their admiration for fungi's complexity and significance.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high interest, as many share additional resources like videos, courses, and personal reactions, indicating engagement with the topic.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many comments reflect thoughtful engagement, including references to fungal superpowers and their biological roles, suggesting deeper reflection.

ImpactModerate impact

While some posts are celebratory or humorous, they also highlight the educational value and scientific importance of the study, indicating a modest but meaningful impact.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigates how the fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis manipulates Camponotus leonardi ants, causing them to bite onto leaves in a specific "manipulative zone" that favors fungal growth and reproduction.
  • Dead ants are often found attached to leaves on the northern side of saplings, with their behavior and positioning optimized for fungal fitness, which was confirmed by relocate experiments.
  • The fungus demonstrates complex adaptations, such as internal structuring for nutrition and large fruiting bodies, likely driven by its osmotrophic lifestyle to effectively exploit the host and enhance spore dispersal.
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
SandraBreumAndersen
@SandraBAndersen · X

10 years since my first publication, with @zombieantguy. Still my favourite title, and the only time I've managed to get my own picture into a paper... Just yesterday got contacted by a high school student excited about it and the amazing zombie ants! https://t.co/YX884UVcI6

Apr 11, 2019 · 13 likes · 1 share · 590 followers View post →
Stone
@stonetree · X

Last one! (I stan hard for the fungi) https://t.co/6JRfpz6Ljj This one will tell you how to kill people. Thanks @SciShow! Happy World Mushroom Day!

Oct 15, 2019 · 1 like · 576 followers View post →
Zabee • zah
@PapiZabee · X

@Supernalist https://t.co/rEgfjT5rZI Skip to like 2 mins in.

Feb 7, 2021 · 1 like · 551 followers View post →
Patrick Wilkie
@patlouiswilkie · X

@OTerrifying Here’s one of the key studies: https://t.co/eZdwXtD0V2

Jan 24, 2023 · 1 like · 404 followers View post →
David Hughes
@DH_PlantVillage · X

RT @SandraBAndersen: 10 years since my first publication, with @zombieantguy. Still my favourite title, and the only time I've managed to g…

Apr 11, 2019 · 1 share · 4,248 followers View post →
Gohsuke Takama
@gohsuket · X

memo |･ω･｀)ﾌﾑﾌﾑ "10 Fantastic Fungi Superpowers" on YouTube - https://t.co/nob466Ldle

Apr 30, 2020 · 2,988 followers View post →

All mentions

cat ástrofe ࿓
@cat_aastrofe · X

@marmarinn MAR MIRA ESTE ESTA BONITO Y AMO A HANK GREEN https://t.co/TEDLsuGOAs este esta chistoso y amo ese canal aunq no tiene mucho de honguitos https://t.co/1LVk88FbyZ y si quieres deep divear encontre un curso grabado :)) https://t.co/Gd0zhhvIvf

Apr 15, 2023 · 497 followers View post →
Patrick Wilkie
@patlouiswilkie · X

@OTerrifying Here’s one of the key studies: https://t.co/eZdwXtD0V2

Jan 24, 2023 · 1 like · 404 followers View post →
Ely Miguel
@ElyMiguel9 · X

Como seria um mundo sem parasitas? https://t.co/ASBKJRIya8

Jun 21, 2022 · 2,265 followers View post →
Mirtacus06
@mirt06 · X

@3v3r6 https://t.co/3DekxRwAg6

Apr 12, 2022 · 186 followers View post →
LONE WOLF
@richard98752601 · X

10 Fantastic Fungi Superpowers https://t.co/UMnqIcTcVV via @YouTube

Mar 5, 2021 · 1 followers View post →
julian samuels
@julianjsamyells · X

10 Fantastic Fungi Superpowers https://t.co/WGCKzXWeWd via @YouTube

Feb 10, 2021 · 44 followers View post →
Zabee • zah
@PapiZabee · X

@Supernalist https://t.co/rEgfjT5rZI Skip to like 2 mins in.

Feb 7, 2021 · 1 like · 551 followers View post →
Aditya Kshirsagar
@gifsagar · X

And here’s another video from @SciShow from four years ago on fungi’s #WoodWideWeb: https://t.co/UNqhEU5bZV https://t.co/cMEJXrAe32

Dec 3, 2020 · 2,235 followers View post →
Gohsuke Takama
@gohsuket · X

memo |･ω･｀)ﾌﾑﾌﾑ "10 Fantastic Fungi Superpowers" on YouTube - https://t.co/nob466Ldle

Apr 30, 2020 · 2,988 followers View post →
Olaf Elsberry
@ElsberryOlaf · X

BICYCLE DAY FUCKERS https://t.co/CH9k8zPAfn

Feb 26, 2020 · 30 followers View post →
Yuji Marutani | The Exiled Emperor
@YujiMarutani · X

10 Fantastic Fungi Superpowers https://t.co/jFTHo12nb1

Feb 13, 2020 · 1,575 followers View post →
joel osazuwa
@joelosazuwa · X

10 Fantastic Fungi Superpowers https://t.co/qUtE9G9iD5

Jan 6, 2020 · 36 followers View post →
cinzia opezzi
@IamFree_SL · X

10 Fantastic Fungi Superpowers https://t.co/TkHpkQT1hv via @YouTube

Dec 18, 2019 · 148 followers View post →
Stone
@stonetree · X

Last one! (I stan hard for the fungi) https://t.co/6JRfpz6Ljj This one will tell you how to kill people. Thanks @SciShow! Happy World Mushroom Day!

Oct 15, 2019 · 1 like · 576 followers View post →
bobofkake
@GAB_bobofseattl · X

10 Fantastic Fungi Superpowers https://t.co/ZCW4t3BeEF

Sep 7, 2019 · 1,248 followers View post →
Damien
@ximtex · X

"10 Fantastic Fungi Superpowers" on YouTube https://t.co/XWjbALfJUM

Jun 24, 2019 · 685 followers View post →
Deborah Duthie
@devduthie · X

10 Fantastic Fungi Superpowers https://t.co/cjbfwtSwyx via @YouTube What a clever sentient being the Fungus is. Well it should be because Fungi preceded life on this planet by creating the soil where plants could develop in a symbiotic relationship. It's even an insecticide.

May 26, 2019 · 2,643 followers View post →
David Hughes
@DH_PlantVillage · X

RT @SandraBAndersen: 10 years since my first publication, with @zombieantguy. Still my favourite title, and the only time I've managed to g…

Apr 11, 2019 · 1 share · 4,248 followers View post →
SandraBreumAndersen
@SandraBAndersen · X

10 years since my first publication, with @zombieantguy. Still my favourite title, and the only time I've managed to get my own picture into a paper... Just yesterday got contacted by a high school student excited about it and the amazing zombie ants! https://t.co/YX884UVcI6

Apr 11, 2019 · 13 likes · 1 share · 590 followers View post →
Eyeball
@EyeballSquare · X

Gostei de um vídeo @YouTube https://t.co/t4ZH3oYYKB Fantastic Fungi Superpowers

Jan 30, 2019 · 2 followers View post →