Ancient 'Zombie' Fungus Captured in Amber: A 99 Million-Year Snapshot

In a remarkable discovery, scientists have unveiled ancient parasitic fungi bursting from the bodies of insect hosts, preserved in amber for nearly 100 million years. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary history of 'zombie' fungi, which have been infecting insects for millions of years. The specimens, now housed in the London Natural History Museum, feature two newly identified species: *Paleoophiocordyceps gerontoformicae*, emerging from an ant pupa, and *P. ironomyiae*, protruding from a fly's head. These discoveries, detailed in a study published in the *Proceedings of the Royal Society B* (Zhuang et al., 2025), provide crucial insights into the evolutionary adaptations of fungi to their insect hosts.

Amber, the fossilized tree resin, has long been valued for its unique ability to preserve snapshots of the distant past, encapsulating moments that would otherwise be lost. The two specimens represent some of the earliest evidence of parasitic fungi, second only to a previously discovered early-Cretaceous species from 2008. According to Dr. Edmund Jarzembowski, a paleoentomologist at the Natural History Museum, "The fossil evidence shows that the infectious fungi were already adapted to two different insect hosts a hundred million years ago, an ant and a true fly." This suggests a significant evolutionary jump, with the fungi adapting to new insect hosts as flowering plants and new insect groups, such as moths and butterflies, emerged.

The study highlights the evolutionary significance of these fungi, which belong to the genus *Ophiocordyceps*, known for their ability to infect insects as a means of spore dissemination. Researchers believe that the newly discovered *Paleoophiocordyceps* species diverged from their living relatives approximately 130 million years ago, indicating a long history of parasitism. The adaptations observed in these ancient fungi may offer insights into the ecological dynamics between fungi and insects during the Cretaceous period.

The implications of this research extend beyond mere curiosity about ancient life forms. Understanding these ancient pathogens can inform current studies on fungal biology and their interactions with various insect species. As climate change continues to alter ecosystems, the dynamics between fungi and insects may become increasingly relevant, particularly as some fungi are known to thrive in warmer temperatures.

In summary, this discovery not only enriches our understanding of fungal evolution but also serves as a reminder of the complex relationships that have existed between organisms for millions of years. With ongoing research in this field, scientists hope to uncover more about the ancient ecosystems that shaped the biodiversity we see today.