Death at Calamus Avenue

Discussion in 'Botany Photo of the Day Submissions' started by San, Mar 31, 2009.

  1. San

    San Member

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    A gruesome murder along the jungle trail....

    Synopsis of crime : The accused is a species of Cordyceps, a parasitic fungus, that had infected an Euglossa bee some days/weeks back. Slowly, its mycelial filaments had spread into the internal organs and suck the bee dry. But the depleted zombie bee must complete one last act before it was allowed to RIP . By not injesting the vital muscles for movement and manipulating the nervous system of its host, the fungus drove the bee to stagger towards the direction of bright light, in this case an elevated stem of a Rattan (Calamus sp), before pulling the final trigger, destroying the brain and locking its host eternally in a characteristic rigor mortis with limbs and wings outstretched. In this way, its fruiting body, which then sprout from the cadaver as shown in the photo, will be unhindered and free to release the spores at a high and exposed location to effect greatest distribution of its progeny.

    Verdict: Guilty of murder and body snatching.

    This one is found in Singapore, perhaps experts here can ID the species.....thanks !

    Hortlog
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2009
  2. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Ha, awesome. The next question is -- is there a slightly larger image available? I tend to use images with a measurement of 800px on one side (though I will occasionally use slightly smaller, @ 675px is the lowest I will go)
     
  3. Barbara Lloyd

    Barbara Lloyd Well-Known Member

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    San,
    What a dramatic "CSI" (crime scene investigation) illustration of the "Circle of Life". Some must die so that others can live.
    barb
     
  4. San

    San Member

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    Here's the enlarged pic
     

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  5. C.Wick

    C.Wick Active Member

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    Outstanding find! Cordyceps are just amazing little recyclers...
     

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