Scientists found and describe two contagious species unexpectedly

Overview

• Post By : Kumar Jeetendra


• Source: University of Copenhagen


• Date: 20 Dec,2020

University of Copenhagen scientists have found and described two fungal species for the first time. The fungi infect adult flies and then create a hole in the gut of the hosts’ bodies. Infected flies then buzz around days as the fungi devour them from within and eject fungal spores from these holes in their bodies. The discovery marks a contribution to the mapping of global biodiversity. At the same time, the new studies open the door for potentially useful nature-made pharmacological discoveries.

This is an exciting and bizarre aspect of biodiversity that we have discovered in Denmark. In and of itself, this mapping of new and unknown biodiversity is valuable. But at the same time, this is basic new knowledge that can serve as a basis for experimental studies of infection pathways and the bioactive substances involved.”

Jørgen Eilenberg, Professor, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Denmark have discovered and described two new fungal species.

As they do, they create a huge hole in the abdomen of the infected hosts. The flies buzz about for days as fungal spores are released into the atmosphere from this hole and drift upon new victims. If, by way of example, a fly comes by to partner, it risks becoming infected. The fungi are nourished from within the back segments of flies’ bodies right up until the end. After a few days, the fly is determined by its back and spasms in its final hours of life.

The fly species Coenosia tigrina with two big holes in the abdomen.

The fungal parasites likely only infect a small percentage of both of these fly species, which, ironically, live by predating different flies. These fungi survive the stresses of winter with the assistance of their thick-walled, orange or yellowish resting spores.

“It’s fascinating how the life cycles of these fungi are so well adapted to the lives of the flies they target,” says Professor Jørgen Eilenberg.

Could pave the way for new medicines
The ability of these fungi to keep flies fresh enough to buzz around for days while being eaten from within has increased speculation among the investigators that the fungi may be producing substances that”dope” their hosts. Research into other varieties of fungi, that infect cicadas, suggests that amphetamine-like substances may be at play.

We guess so these parasites may create amphetamine-like substances which keep a fly’s energy level high up until the end. At the same time, we have a theory that the fungi also produce substances which keep microorganisms from the fly’s fungal wound. We would definitely like to continue our study, as doing so has the potential to find and later make use of these substances, perhaps in medicine,” says Jørgen Eilenberg.