Fungal Puppetry
Year
2024
Project type
Data Visualization
Primary Audience
Science Students
Client
Jodie Jenkison
Medium
Poster
Tools
Illustrator, Procreate, Pencil, Figma
Description
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is a fascintating fungal pathogen that infects ants, manipulating their behavior to complete its life cycle. This piece illustrates the intricate life cycle of Ophiocordyceps and its interactions with its ant hosts, with the visual narrative accompanied by visual datasets highlighting ascospore septation.
Preproduction
Before drafting, extensive research was conducted on Ophiocordyceps unilateralis and its behavioral interactions with ants. A script was developed, and sections of text were outlined based on the research findings. Relevant visual references were documented, and datasets on ascospore characteristics were refined and organized for integration into data visualizations.
The atmospheric environment played a crucial role in the storytelling of this piece, so the initial layout was blocked out with colors to establish a cohesive color scheme. Text was overlaid and adjusted on the sketch using Illustrator, while the data visualization was finalized using the graph function as a reference point to anchor the composition. At this stage, the complex inset was drafted separately as a tonal drawing to ensure clarity and focus on the detailed elements.
Production
Each ant was individually rendered as a tonal illustration in Procreate before being colorized. Background details and simpler insets were created using the same techniques on separate layers to maintain flexibility. To enhance the immersive environment and convey the ants' journey, a leaf stamp was incorporated into the background, with hues adjusted as needed for visual harmony. The completed illustration was then imported into Illustrator for final compositing.
References: Araújo, J. P. M., Evans, H. C., Kepler, R., & Hughes, D. P. (2018). Zombie-ant fungi across continents: 15 new species and new combinations within ophiocordyceps. i. Myrmecophilous hirsutelloidâ species. Studies in Mycology, 90(1), 119–160. doi:10.1016/j.simyco.2017.12.002; Araújo, J. P., Evans, H. C., Fernandes, I. O., Ishler, M. J., & Hughes, D. P. (2020). Zombie-ant fungi cross continents: II. Myrmecophilous hymenostilboid species and a novel zombie lineage. Mycologia, 112(6), 1138–1170. doi:10.1080/00275514.2020.1822093; de Bekker, C., Quevillon, L. E., Smith, P. B., Fleming, K. R., Ghosh, D., Patterson, A. D., & Hughes, D. P. (2014). Species-specific ant brain manipulation by a specialized fungal parasite. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 14(1). doi:10.1186/s12862-014-0166-3; Evans, H.C., Araújo, J. P. M., Halfeld, V. R., & Hughes, D. P. (2018). Epitypification and re-description of the zombie-ant fungus ophiocordyceps unilateralis (ophiocordycipitaceae). Fungal Systematics and Evolution, 1(1), 13–22. doi:10.3114/fuse.2018.01.02; Evans, Harry C., Elliot, S. L., & Hughes, D. P. (2011). ophiocordyceps unilateralis: a keystone species for unraveling ecosystem functioning and biodiversity of fungi in tropical forests? Communicative & Integrative Biology, 4(5), 598–602. doi:10.4161/cib.16721