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From Canopies to Crypts: An Ecological Survey of the Distribution and Success of Zombie Ants in the Little Big Econ State Forest

JSHS · 2025

Victoria Krupica, William J. Furiosi II · Oviedo High School, Oviedo, FL

Overview

While 40% of all described species on earth are parasites, their role is still poorly understood in the ecosystem. This study focuses on the “zombie ant fungus”, Ophiocordyceps camponoti floridani as well as the recently discovered mycoparasite that infect O. camponoti floridani and their place in prairie hammock ecosystems in the southern United States. Observational data was recorded from the Little Big Econ State Forest to determine what ecological factors correlated with cadaver distribution. A visual a nalysis of cadavers was conducted to determine fungal morphology patterns, grade visible atrophy, and determine if there were any mycoparasites present. The data was analyzed against the ecological data to determine that fungal distribution may rely on factors such as height off the ground substrate species, and Tree genus. As well as uncovering a potential host plant relationship between the fungus and the substrate Tillandsia bartramii. This study reports that O. camponoti floridani graveyards have a strong potential to be used as a tool to indicate changes in canopy cover in prairie hammock ecosystems if monitored over time.

Competition history

  • JSHS 2025 Category not listed

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Source: Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

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