1. Parasites: “ZOMBIES” in NATURE Understanding how some organisms take over other organisms for their survival

2. WHAT is a ZOMBIE  ZOMBIE – in a movie is an undead human which devours living humans brains. Infected Bite transforms humans into Zombies  ZOMBIE in Nature- organism that overtakes another organism’s body, and changes it to ensure its survival and replicate itself. (virus like)

3. ZOMBIE 1: OPHICORDYCEPS FUNGUS

4. OPHICORDYCEPS FUNGUS  Bullet Ant  Makes Ant Climb to tallest part of plant  Fruiting body sprouts and spores are released to find new ants on forest floor

5. OPHICORDYCEPS FUNGUS  Leonardi Ant  Fungus causes ant to bite down on underside of leaf as it dies  Fungus is protected fron Sun UV rays and Rain  Fruiting body Sprouts to release spores onto ants below

6. Nematode Zombie Parasite

7.  Nematode eggs are hidden in bird droppings  Ants eat bird droppings  Nematode causes “back- end” or gaster of Ant to change color  Color change caused by eggs of worms thinning out exosklelton of ant  Makes gaster prone to pop off  Birds eat gaster thinking it’s a Berry and cycle repeats

8. Flatworm Parasite: Leucochloridium Paradoxum