Ancient 'Zombie' Fungi Species Discovered in 99-Million-Year-Old Amber

In a remarkable scientific discovery, researchers have identified two new species of parasitic fungi preserved in amber that dates back 99 million years to the mid-Cretaceous period. These findings, published in the *Proceedings of the Royal Society B* in June 2025, shed light on the evolutionary history of fungi and their parasitic relationships with insects, revealing that such relationships existed long before the age of humans.

The fungi, named *Paleoophiocordyceps gerontoformicae* and *Paleoophiocordyceps ironomyiae*, were found growing from the bodies of ancient insects, specifically a young ant in its cocoon stage and an ancient fly. This discovery is significant because it represents the oldest-known examples of entomopathogenic fungi, which have long played a crucial role in regulating insect populations.

Edmund Jarzembowski, a paleoentomologist at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology and co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of this finding: "It’s fascinating to see some of the strangeness of the natural world that we see today was also present at the height of the age of the dinosaurs."

The study highlights that entomopathogenic fungi can infect a variety of insect groups, including ants and flies. According to Dr. Jarzembowski, these ancient fungi likely regulated insect populations similarly to how their modern counterparts, such as *Ophiocordyceps unilateralis*, operate today. This particular species is known for manipulating the behavior of ants, compelling them to seek environments favorable for fungal growth, ultimately leading to the ants' demise.

The evolutionary relationship between ancient and modern fungi is noted to be complex. The researchers suggest that the divergence of *Paleoophiocordyceps* from its modern relatives occurred approximately 130 million years ago. The limited fossil record has historically made it challenging to study ancient entomopathogenic fungi, but this discovery provides invaluable insights into their characteristics and evolutionary significance.

More than 1,500 species of parasitic fungi are currently cataloged, with the Natural History Museum in London noting that they inhabit five of the eight major groups of fungi. The impact of these organisms on social insects is profound, demonstrating that such interactions were occurring long before the rise of mammals.

The specimens of these newly discovered fungi are now housed at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, a part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Yunnan University. Dr. Jarzembowski concluded with a lighthearted note regarding the implications of this discovery for popular culture, referencing the post-apocalyptic television series *The Last of Us*: "This discovery shows the impact of tiny organisms on social animals long before humans evolved—with the comforting thought that these tiny organisms are unlikely to jump to us, unlike in sci-fi films!"

The research not only contributes to our understanding of the historical biological landscape during the age of dinosaurs but also underscores the ongoing significance of fungi in ecosystems today. As scientists continue to explore these ancient relationships, further studies may reveal more about the complexities of ecological interactions throughout history.