A newly discovered species turns cave-dwelling spiders into zombies, causing them to crawl to the ceiling before they die.

Recently, scientists have been increasingly discussing fungi similar to those in the Ophiocordyceps genus, also known as zombie fungi. These species spread their spores to enslave animals and further disseminate their spores. In a new study, researchers investigated a cave system in Northern Ireland, resulting in the discovery of a new species, as reported by PHYS.org.

The new research was led by honorary CAB International member Dr. Harry Evans, with a team that included experts from the Natural History Museum of Denmark and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The scientists explored cave systems and encountered a unique fungus — morphological and molecular analysis revealed that they had discovered an entirely new species.

According to Evans, the new species was described and named in honor of the historian Sir David Attenborough — a pioneer of BBC's natural history programs. The new species has been named Gibellula attenboroughii, and analysis indicates that it is capable of attacking orb-weaver spiders as well as related spider species found in local caves.

The researchers examined the area and found spiders sitting on the ceiling, which is quite unusual. Typically, these spider species inhabit the walls of caves and rarely venture into open spaces. The authors of the study also note that the new fungus behaves similarly to Ophiocordyceps fungi previously recorded in Atlantic tropical forests.

It is believed that the fungus takes control of the spider's body and then compels it to move to open areas — for instance, the ceiling. This manipulation of the host, scientists suggest, aids in the spread of the fungus.

Researchers also utilized historical herbarium records and literature searches to uncover hidden diversity within the Gibellula genus on the British Isles, as well as evidence of widespread disease outbreaks among spiders in Norfolk and Wales.

Now, scientists believe they should focus on studying the role of the fungus in the dynamics of spider populations — further work is needed, but researchers hope to unravel this mystery.