July 2019 PMID 31315924

Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles.

Colleen A Mangold, Melissa J Ishler, Raquel G Loreto, Missy L Hazen, David P Hughes

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Mentions

Peak: 15 in Jul 2019

across 4 sources since Jul 2019

Extended reach

3,258,592

potential audience

Total likes

104,767

Video views

3,134,903

Mentions per month

Jul 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

X / Twitter26 posts
News8 articles
YouTube2 videos
Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the social discussions convey strong agreement, with comments praising the research as 'amazing' and 'powerful,' and showing high interest by mentioning the precise biological mechanisms like vesicles and muscle hypercontraction. The tone varies from scientific appreciation to casual admiration, reflecting both academic respect and fascination with the topic.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the validity and importance of the research, supporting the findings and emphasizing its scientific significance.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions demonstrate high curiosity, with multiple posts expressing excitement about the fascinating behavior and mechanisms involved.

EngagementModerate engagement

Many posts reference specific details like the role of vesicles and muscle hypercontraction, indicating thoughtful engagement, though some are more casual or promotional.

ImpactModerate impact

While some posts highlight the importance of the discovery for understanding parasitism and behavior, others focus on the visual and intriguing aspects, suggesting moderate perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

The study explores how a parasitic fungus infects carpenter ants, causing them to grip onto vegetation with a death grip, a behavior maintained even after the ant's death.
Researchers found that the fungus extensively colonizes the ant's mandibular muscles, leading to hypercontraction (excessive muscle tightening), despite damage to the muscle tissue and preservation of neural connections.
The infection appears to induce hypercontraction through direct fungal penetration and possibly extracellular vesicle-like particles, which may manipulate the muscle contraction mechanism to keep the ant firmly attached to its environment.]

Read the full abstract

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Javi Ciborro

@papayaykware · X

https://t.co/5qEZR26GOf Agarre mortal de la hormiga zombi por hipercontracción de los músculos mandibulares

Nov 6, 2023 · 8,026 followers View post →

Biotecnologia UFRGS

@biotecgradufrgs · X

Apr 24, 2023 · 1 like · 3 followers View post →

Insect Microbiome

@insect_microbes · X

Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles. https://t.co/JWgHiKJTu3

Jul 18, 2020 · 788 followers View post →

Ant Evolution Papers

@AntPapers · X

Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles https://t.co/qXtxwX6HK0

May 15, 2020 · 335 followers View post →

Women In Parasitology

@WiParasitology · X

Oct 29, 2019 · 1 like · 4,794 followers View post →

Dr. Anne Duplouy

@duplouy_anne · X

186/365: Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles https://t.co/erUFk01Uye #Mangold etal @zombieantguy on mandibular muscle contraction in fungus-infected zombie ants #DeathGrip #Vesicle

Sep 5, 2019 · 1,593 followers View post →

Pia Siljander

@3prms3 · X

What wouldn’t they do?

Aug 14, 2019 · 644 followers View post →

EV Science

@ev_pubs · X

Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles. #EVs https://t.co/TMUhC65eNn

Aug 11, 2019 · 1 like · 685 followers View post →

H Stiles

@HStiles1 · X

Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles https://t.co/dvMstCeAva

Aug 6, 2019 · 351 followers View post →

Dataemia

@Dataemia · X

Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles [RESEARCH ARTICLE] - https://t.co/YIaMZc6KQA https://t.co/Cl9pcahzuE

Aug 2, 2019 · 961 followers View post →

Huck Institutes

@huckinstitutes · X

RT @RGLoreto: One of the many gorgeous figures from "Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles" by Mangold et al 2019…

Aug 2, 2019 · 3 shares · 1,656 followers View post →

David Hughes

@DH_PlantVillage · X

RT @RGLoreto: One of the many gorgeous figures from "Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles" by Mangold et al 2019…

Aug 2, 2019 · 3 shares · 4,249 followers View post →

Steve Marek

@stephenmarek2 · X

RT @RGLoreto: One of the many gorgeous figures from "Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles" by Mangold et al 2019…

Aug 2, 2019 · 3 shares · 5,461 followers View post →

Dr. Raquel Loreto

@RGLoreto · X

Aug 2, 2019 · 12 likes · 3 shares · 433 followers View post →

Steve Marek

@stephenmarek2 · X

Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles https://t.co/L1HhN2fSX8 https://t.co/IsoC2Z4B2K

Jul 24, 2019 · 5,461 followers View post →

David Hughes

@DH_PlantVillage · X

RT @RGLoreto: @zombieantguy We have another paper on ZOMBIE ANTS out. Led by the brilliant scientist @vanmangold - in collaboration with Me…

Jul 22, 2019 · 1 share · 4,249 followers View post →

LOVE INC.

@suzukiiiiiiiiii · X

Zombie ant death grip due to hypercontracted mandibular muscles |

Jul 22, 2019 · 1 like · 2,164 followers View post →