Ophiocordyceps myrmecophila
Species of fungus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ophiocordyceps myrmecophila, commonly known as the ant fungus or ant eater,[1] is a species of fungus that parasitizes insect hosts, in particular members of the order Hymenoptera.[2]
| Ophiocordyceps myrmecophila | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Sordariomycetes |
| Order: | Hypocreales |
| Family: | Ophiocordycipitaceae |
| Genus: | Ophiocordyceps |
| Species: | O. myrmecophila |
| Binomial name | |
| Ophiocordyceps myrmecophila (Ces.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Phylogeny
Description
The ochraceous fruiting body, rising from an ant (which is sometimes buried), is up to 8 millimetres (3⁄8 in) wide and 9.5 centimetres (3+3⁄4 in) long.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Ophiocordyceps myrmecophila has been noted as one of the more dominant entomopathogenic fungi of formicine ants in the tropical rainforests of Thailand.[2] This species and others like it can parasitize multiple arthropod hosts. Although entomopathogenic fungi have been identified as a widespread organism, tending obviously to be found in similar habitats to that of their arthropod host; ubiquity of the host, as well as evolutionary cospeciation are key factors of host specificity and therefore location.
