A deadly fungus gives ‘zombie’ ants a case of lockjaw
Closeups of infected ants’ jaw muscles may reveal clues to how the fungi take over
![zombie ant](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/071719_cw_zombie-ant_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
DEATH GRIP Once the “zombie ant fungus” invades an ant’s jaw muscles, the insect clings with clenched jaws to a twig until, and even after, its death.
Melissa Ishler; specimen collected by Kimberly Fleming.