时差N小时 蚂蚁感染真菌变"僵尸“(上)（在线收听）

Scientists have found zombie ants in the Brazilian rainforests. How can that be? The ants are infected by a fungus. As a matter of fact, scientists have just found four new species of the zombie creating fungus, Ophiocordyceps. You are telling me the fungus turns out the answer to the zombies. Fungi produce little seed like particles called spores. If an ant gets infected by one, the fungus hijacks its brain. Instead of doing its normal chores, the ant starts searching for the ideal location for the fungus to grow. It's not just wonder? No. Scientists have found that infected ants go to specific locations: beneath leaves on the north sides of plants, about ten inches above the ground, in 94-95% humidity, and at 77-86 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures.

科学家在巴西发现了“僵尸蚂蚁”，那是怎么回事？原来蚂蚁感染上一种真菌。事实上，科学家刚刚已经发现了能产生真菌的4种新物种。真菌就是蚂蚁变僵尸的原因。真菌会产生叫 “孢子”的微粒，如果蚂蚁感染上真菌，真菌就会控制蚂蚁的大脑。感染后蚂蚁不会做正常的活动，而是去寻找真菌生长的理想环境。这不令人吃惊吗？不。科学家发现被感染的蚂蚁会去特定的地方：在植物北侧的叶片下面，距离地面大概10寸高，处在94%-95%的湿度，和77-86的华氏温度中。