A fascinating discovery has been made in Scotland’s rainforest, with over 650 species recorded by a community project aimed at surveying the wildlife in the area. Among these species is the Gibellula fungus, a type of Cordycipitaceae that has been found to turn its spider victims into ‘zombies’.
The Gibellula fungus, part of the same family as the Cordyceps fungus made famous by the video game and TV series, The Last of Us, has a gruesome modus operandi. Once it latches onto a host, it devours the spider from the inside out, leaving the exoskeleton intact. A fruiting body then erupts out of the spider to spread further spores and find its next victim.
Amateur naturalist Ben Mitchell made the discovery of two examples of the Gibellula fungus as part of the West Cowal Habitat Restoration Project managed by Argyll Countryside Trust (ACT). The project aims to restore the rare temperate rainforest that spans the peninsulas of Kilfinan and Colintraive, including the Kyles of Bute National Scenic Area.
In addition to the Gibellula fungus, other unique species found in the rainforest include colorful slime molds, glow-worms, moths, butterflies, orchids, and even jellyfish. Volunteers have also documented wildlife specific to temperate rainforests, such as rare lichens, mosses, and liverworts.
Ben Mitchell expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “It’s been great to be part of this project, and I’ve found so many species, but my favorite by far has definitely been the Gibellula fungus.” He explained the fungus’s behavior of making spiders move to the underside of leaves before sticking them there, likely to protect the spores when they fruit and ensure they can infect more spiders.
The West Cowal project, spearheaded by woodland coordinator Ian Dow, utilizes the online platform iNaturalist for species recording. Dow highlighted the importance of monitoring wildlife to track habitat restoration progress, particularly in areas like the West Cowal rainforest that have not been properly surveyed since the 1980s.
Scotland’s rainforest, characterized by ancient woodlands in the west with high rainfall and mild temperatures, supports a diverse ecosystem of mosses, liverworts, lichens, birds, and butterflies. With only around 30,000 hectares of this habitat remaining in Scotland, conservation efforts are crucial.
The West Cowal Habitat Restoration Project is part of the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest (ASR), a collaboration of 24 organizations dedicated to restoring Scotland’s rainforest. The ASR projects cover nearly 300,000 hectares, representing over 15% of the potential rainforest zone, with more projects in development.
If you’re interested in getting involved in the West Cowal iNaturalist project, visit their website for more information. The incredible biodiversity of Scotland’s rainforest awaits exploration, offering a glimpse into the wonders of nature and the importance of conservation efforts.
