The ‘Parasite of Parasites’ Has Been Discovered in the Tropical Forests of Borneo

Scientists from the Universiti Malaysia Sabah have discovered a newly identified “parasite of parasites” in the tropical forests of Borneo. More specifically, it is what the researchers describe as a hyperparasite—an organism capable of parasitizing other parasites. In this case, its targets are zombie fungi. The new fungal species, named Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata for its distinctive horn-shaped structure, has been described in the journal Phytotaxa. The Discovery The new hyperparasite was identified during a series of field expeditions in the remote Danum Valley region of the Malaysian state of Sabah. According to Phys.org, researchers came across Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata almost by chance while examining a dead ant. The newly discovered fungus specifically targets ants already infected by Ophiocordyceps, commonly known as the zombie fungus. This microorganism infects insects—particularly ants—by manipulating their nervous systems and driving them to perform behaviors that facilitate the spread of its spores before ultimately killing the host. A Parasite of Parasites Unlike the zombie fungus, the hyperparasite does not take control of the ant itself. Instead, it attacks the zombie fungus already growing inside the insect. “Rather than manipulating the insect's nervous system itself, Pleurocordyceps infiltrates and feeds directly on the thriving Ophiocordyceps tissue inside the host,” said Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan, deputy director of Malaysia Sabah's Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC) and one of the species’ discoverers, in an interview with AFP. There are other hyperparasites in the world, but Seelan noted that this is the first with this particular horn-shaped structure. “This rare discovery reveals yet another hidden layer of complexity within tropical ecosystems and demonstrates how much remains unknown about the biodiversity of our forests,” the ITBC said in a press release. Big Implications During the same expeditions, the researchers also discovered a new species of fungus lethal to spiders, one that spreads its spores throughout the arachnid’s body before killing it. These findings extend beyond scientific curiosity and could have significant practical applications, including potential benefits for human health. “These newly documented fungi hold immense potential,” Seelan told the AFP, “both as sources for developing next-generation antimicrobial drugs and as highly effective biocontrol agents against agricultural pests.” This story originally appeared in WIRED Italia and has been translated from Italian.