News Direct's video: Newly discovered fungi turn flies into parasite-spewing zombies

For story suggestions or custom animation requests, contact tips@nextanimation.com.tw. Visit http://archive.nextanimationstudio.com to view News Direct's complete archive of 3D news animations. RESTRICTIONS: Broadcast: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Digital: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Two new species of fungi have been discovered in Denmark that turn flies into zombies and eat them from the inside out, according to researchers from the Natural History Museum of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen's Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences The new species, Strongwellsea tigrinae and Strongwellsea acerosa, infect two types of Danish fly, Coenosia tigrina and Coenosia testacea. Research published in the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology describes how spores from the fungus burrow their way into the fly's abdomen, where they bore holes from which thousands of torpedo-shaped spores burst to infect other flies. The researchers suspect the two fungi may produce amphetamine-like substances that keep their hosts alive and energized until there is nothing left in the fly's abdomen but fungus. These amphetamine-like chemicals may also keep other microorganisms away from the flies' wounds. RUNDOWN SHOWS: 1. Toadstool emitting spores 2. Fly infected by fungus spores 3. Fungus creates holes in the host's abdomen 4. Spores shoot from the holes to infect other flies 5. Host remains alive for several days 6. Fly eventually falls on its back, spasms and dies VOICEOVER (in English): "Two new species of fungi have been discovered in Denmark that turn flies into zombies and eat them from inside out while the flies shoot out fungus spores like rockets." "The new species, Strongwellsea tigrinae and Strongwellsea acerosa, infect two types of Danish fly, Coenosia tigrina and Coenosia testacea, according to research published in the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology." "Spores from the fungus stick to the fly's cuticle and make their way into the abdomen, where they bore large holes, from which thousands of torpedo-shaped spores burst to infect other flies." "The fly goes on to live for several days while the fungus devours its genitals, fat reserves, reproductive organs and lastly its muscle." "During this time the fly continues to interact with and spread spores to other victims, although researchers say the fungus only infects between 3 percent and 5 percent of flies in a healthy population." "Researchers from the Natural History Museum of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen's Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences suspect the two fungi may produce substances like amphetamines." "These chemicals keep their hosts alive and energized until there is nothing left in its abdomen but fungus." SOURCES: The Guardian, University of Copenhagen, Journal of Invertebrate Pathology https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/15/scientists-find-two-new-species-of-fungi-that-turn-flies-into-zombies https://www.science.ku.dk/presse/nyhedsarkiv/2020/to-barske-svampearter-opdaget-i-danmark-aeder-levende-fluer-indefra/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022201120301506 *** ----------------------------------------­­---------------------------------------­-­---------------- Next Animation Studio’s News Direct service provides daily, high-quality, informative 3D news animations that fill in for missing footage and help viewers understand breaking news stories or in-depth features on science, technology, and health. Sign up for a free trial of News Direct's news animations at http://newsdirect.nextanimationstudio.com/trial/ To subscribe to News Direct or for more info, please visit: http://newsdirect.nextanimationstudio.com