Newly Discovered Fungus Manipulates Spiders into 'Zombie-Like' Behavior

The fungus, named Gibellula attenboroughii, forces spiders to leave their lairs before killing them and spreading spores, offering insights into parasitic behavior and ecosystem balance.

Gibellula attenboroughii, a newly identified fungal species, infects orb-weaving cave spiders, altering their behavior and leading them to exposed locations before killing them.
The fungus was first discovered in 2021 in Northern Ireland during the filming of the BBC nature series Winterwatch and later confirmed as a new species by researchers.
Named after Sir David Attenborough, the fungus manipulates spiders to maximize spore dispersal, echoing the behavior-altering tactics of Ophiocordyceps fungi in ants.
Scientists suspect the fungus produces compounds that affect the spiders' nervous systems, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear.
The discovery highlights hidden fungal diversity and raises questions about the ecological roles of parasitic fungi, with potential implications for spider population dynamics and broader ecosystems.