When scientist Alexander Bentley encountered a spider covered in what seemed like a lethal parasitic fungus during a group expedition in August 2025, he was surprised to find the spider still alive. Bentley, a herpetologist in Ecuador, is familiar with cordyceps, a parasitic fungus known for its role in the post-apocalyptic franchise “The Last of Us.”
Cordyceps, often referred to as “zombie fungus,” infects insects and arachnids, manipulating them to spread its spores in a manner that resembles zombie behavior, as described by the National Library of Medicine. This spider displayed two tendril-like structures, called tubercles, on its abdomen, typically a sign that the cordyceps has killed its host.
Initially, Bentley believed the spider was infected with cordyceps but later discovered it was an entirely new arachnid species that appears to mimic fungus like cordyceps, possibly for hunting or defense purposes. The findings were detailed in Zootaxa, sparking both excitement and skepticism among scientists.
Upon seeking assistance from the citizen-science platform iNaturalist, Bentley received feedback suggesting the spider might be mimicking a type of parasitic fungi called gibellula, a member of the Cordycipitaceae family. Further investigation with study co-author David Ricardo Díaz-Guevara confirmed the spider as a new species named Taczanowskia waska.
Experts are intrigued by the spider’s resemblance to fungus and propose two theories for this mimicry: either as an aggressive hunting strategy or a defensive mechanism against predators. The unique discovery underscores the value of platforms like iNaturalist for scientific research and highlights the spider’s extraordinary adaptation in the Amazon rainforest.
Despite differing opinions on the purpose of the spider’s fungus-like appearance, researchers are excited about this groundbreaking finding, considering it one of the most remarkable discoveries in Bentley’s rainforest explorations. The spider’s uncanny resemblance to cordyceps stalks opens new avenues for understanding mimicry and adaptation in arachnids, paving the way for further research in this field.