Articles tagged with Ants
A study by LMU researchers demonstrates that ants have cultivated their plant partners at least three million years ago, long before humans. The interaction is vital for the survival of both partners, with ants providing nutrients to epiphytes in exchange for nesting sites.
A new study by STRI researchers confirms that trees in tropical forests are like islands, with different species living on each one. The number of ant species found on a tree is positively correlated with the size of the liana-free area around it.
A five-year study in Harvard and Duke forests found that adding warmth predicted in climate-change models destabilized forest ant communities. The loss of stability makes communities less resilient and slower to rebound when disturbed, with relative abundance of thermophilic species growing while heat-intolerant species declining.
Recent genomic study provides evidence that land bridges likely connected the Americas millions of years earlier than previously thought. Army ants were chosen for their unique biology, which allowed researchers to rule out aerial and aquatic dispersal when studying colonization of Central America.
A study on carpenter ants found that social information can override an individual's assessment of a food source as toxic. Ants will collect toxic food if it is associated with a familiar odor, despite their own evaluation of its toxicity.
A team of researchers discovered that the tiny yellow-striped Amazonian frog has a special skin chemical that allows it to live comfortably among leaf-cutting ants. The frogs' skin extracts mimic the ants' own chemical signals, preventing attacks and enabling coexistence.
A study published by Texas A&M scientists found that red imported fire ants can increase the abundance of small mammals and reduce the number of ticks in an ecosystem. This could lead to a decrease in tick-borne disease transmission to humans and animals.
A new rare ant species, Lenomyrmex hoelldobleri, has been discovered in the stomach of a Little Devil poison frog in Ecuador. The ant is the seventh known species in its rarely collected Neotropical genus and features a slender elongate mouthpart.
A University of Liverpool study found that ant colour and size are strongly influenced by their environment, with larger bodied ectotherms with dark colouration thriving in cold places. The study also revealed that ants adapt to changing temperatures by shifting from darker to lighter colours and smaller body sizes.
A new study reveals that certain ants can rely solely on optic flow to find their way back to their nest when lost. This unique system allows them to calculate distance independently of their internal odometer mechanism, giving them two navigation systems.
Researchers at Hokkaido University found that ants have a preference for aphid colonies with certain colors, which allows these bugs to retain their colors through generations. The team discovered that the number of attending ants was highest when green aphids comprised 65% of the colony.
A new study reveals that leaf-cutter ants have not fully domesticated their fungal symbionts, despite having a mutually beneficial relationship. The ants adjust the nutrient content of their mulch to minimize mushroom production, but this strategy has constraints on productivity.
A wood ant colony has thrived in a Polish nuclear bunker for years, defying the harsh conditions of extreme cold and darkness. The colony's population has grown to hundreds of thousands, with researchers finding evidence of complex social behavior and even repair work on their nest.
Mole rat castes were previously believed to be fixed throughout their lives, but a new study shows that individuals perform different roles at different ages. As they grow older, mole rats become more generalists, participating in various activities and contributing to cooperative efforts.
Two new, highly adorned ant species, Pheidole viserion and Pheidole drogon, have been discovered in New Guinea. These 'dragon-like' ants feature large, distinctive spines that may help support their massive heads.
A new ant species reminiscent of 'Game of Thrones' dragons has been identified in the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea. The researchers used X-Ray microtomography to create virtual specimens, enabling them to analyze and share findings with scientists worldwide.
Researchers have discovered six new infestations of the invasive Lasius neglectus ant in the UK, which are capable of dramatically altering ecosystems and driving native species to extinction. The ants pose no threat to humans but can out-compete native ants for resources, highlighting the need for management on a national scale.
A team of scientists discovered that ants first switched to farming fungi 55-60 million years ago, marking the beginning of a mutual adaptation. Leafcutter ants have since developed industrial-scale farming, producing protein-rich bulbs and thriving on an enormous scale.
Researchers discovered that reversing desert ants use an odometer-like mechanism to track distance and orientation while moving in reverse. The ants increase ground contact by using leg combinations and swing faster to maintain stability.
House-hunting ants use tandem running to inform colony members about a new nest, increasing the discovery rate and speeding up migration. By regulating their running rate based on distance, ants efficiently minimize transit time and risk involved in migrating longer distances.
Researchers from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory propose a theoretical framework for estimating population density in networks, which converges quickly and is more accurate than random sampling. This approach has practical applications in analyzing social networks, robot swarms, and ad hoc networks.
Army ants create underground bivouacs that maintain a consistent temperature 13 degrees F warmer than surface temperatures. This allows the colony to stay mobile and raise their young offspring, which is critical for their survival at high elevations.
Researchers are studying how microbes control ant behaviors using $2.56 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The goal is to understand the complex collective behavior of fungi, which can precisely control their hosts' actions.
A recent study published in Journal of Biogeography reveals that ant communities across Asia are shaped by past land connections during the Last Glacial Maximum, rather than current geographical features. Temperature was found to be the dominant factor in determining ant community patterns.
Cretaceous fossils provide insights into the early diversification of ants, with some species exhibiting advanced social behavior. The discovery of Ceratomyrmex ellenbergeri highlights the importance of morphological specializations in ant evolution.
Researchers found a sharp decline in ant biodiversity in rubber plantations, with significant losses in species richness and functional diversity. The study suggests that ecological filters like rubber plantations select specific subsets of species, contributing to biodiversity loss.
Researchers found that ants form rafts with different members occupying specific positions based on experience, demonstrating collective memory and cooperation. This phenomenon has implications for our understanding of social insects and potential applications in robotics and medicine.
Researchers discovered that Saharan silver ant hairs use total internal reflection to reflect sunlight, resulting in a bright silver color. This adaptation allows the ants to stay up to 2°C cooler under simulated sunlight, making them well-suited for desert survival.
Researchers analyzed 16 ant species to understand queen-worker differences, finding conserved gene sets associated with traits like queen numbers and worker sterility. This study provides insight into the evolution of gene expression across ant species.
New research reveals that kin selection drives altruistic defense in enslaved Temnothorax longispinosus ant workers. The study found that slaves rebel against their oppressors' offspring, benefiting relatives living nearby.
A new study by University of Florida researchers found that victorious ant colonies recruit members of losing colonies to help defend their territory. After analyzing DNA from nearly 800 ants, the team discovered that fighting changes the genetic makeup of victorious colonies, allowing them to form lasting truces with former foes.
Researchers found that forager ants with less body fat died first from malnutrition when food was scarce. In contrast, stay-at-home workers could survive in the nest for up to 100 days without food, and even some foragers on a well-balanced thin soup diet survived for over 300 days.
Researchers found that different parts of an organ grow at varying rates when the body changes size. This discovery could help understand how organs work and interact with each other to maintain animal health.
A study of army ants led by Drexel University professor Sean O'Donnell found that certain species regained vision and developed larger brains after moving back to the surface. The ants' brains showed increased investment in visual processing, smell, and overall cognitive function compared to underground-dwelling relatives.
Researchers at UC Riverside have found a more environmentally friendly way to control the spread of Argentine ants by adding their pheromone to bait. The pheromone-infused gel bait reduced ant activity by 74%, compared to 42% with traditional baits, and is an inexpensive modification to existing products.
Researchers discovered well-preserved ancient ant species in Burmese amber, revealing evidence of social behavior dating back to the Cretaceous period. The findings suggest that ants were highly competitive and territorial, with some species exhibiting unusual characteristics such as mammoth jaws.
Scientists discovered advanced social behavior in 100-million-year-old amber, revealing that ants and termites had sophisticated caste systems tens of millions of years earlier than thought. The fossils preserved the presence of different castes, including queen ants and workers, as well as eusocial behaviors such as combat and foraging.
Researchers measured trap-jaw ant speed in high-speed cameras, finding species range from 19.5 to 41.5 strikes per second, with Odontomachus brunneus recording the fastest recorded speed. Understanding antennal boxing can inform our understanding of ant sociology and behavior.
Researchers found that enslaved Formica ant colonies were more genetically and chemically diverse than their free-living counterparts. This diversity is likely caused by seasonal raids to steal pupae from adjacent host colonies, leading to changes in how the ants recognize nest mates.
Researchers found that closely related ant species use distinct chemical signals to differentiate their queens from workers. The new findings suggest evolutionary links between solitary and social insect communication and raise questions about the practical uses of these chemicals.
Researchers found that dominant ant species in tropical rainforests consume the majority of food resources, making ecosystems vulnerable. The study also revealed that efficient species can dominate systems, increasing resource turnover but making them more vulnerable to decline.
Researchers at the University of Oregon documented leafcutter ants' prehensile skills, revealing how they divide tasks to process leaves and grow food supply. The study found that energy conservation and division of labor are crucial for the ants' survival and health.
Researchers found that queen bees emit a chemical pheromone that alters the DNA of their daughters, keeping them as sterile and industrious workers. This process involves DNA methylation, which suppresses queenly characteristics in workers.
A new study from Rockefeller University found no overall differences in DNA methylation between worker and queen ants, challenging the popular explanation for their social roles. The research suggests that methylation may contribute to stable expression of household genes, but further studies are needed to confirm this.
Researchers found that ants only fully respond to social cues when resting, suggesting intermittent monitoring to process information. This behavior may benefit the colony by moderating positive feedback effects and improving decentralized task allocation.
A Penn-led team has discovered that caste-specific behaviors in ant colonies can be directly altered by changing the balance of epigenetic chemicals. The study found that compounds inhibiting histone acetylation increased foraging behavior in minors, while injecting these inhibitors into young major ants also boosted foraging activity.
Scientists used compounds to alter epigenetic marks in ant colonies, demonstrating lasting effects on behavior. Epigenetic modifications, such as histone acetylation, influenced caste-based systems and worker responsibilities.
Researchers found that compounds blocking histone deacetylases activated genes making one ant worker behave like another without changing their instructions. This study may provide insights into mechanisms behind behavioral disorders.
The California Academy of Sciences has added 102 new plant and animal species to Earth's family tree, enriching our understanding of the planet's complex web of life. These discoveries include tiny, blood-sucking Dracula ants, vibrant sea slugs, and eight new viruses from around five continents and three oceans.
A century-old mystery surrounding an invasive ant species has been solved, with scientists finding it originated from Asia. The study used genetic analysis and distribution maps to confirm the correct answer.
Research on invasive yellow crazy ants found they are more likely to attack native cruiser butterfly caterpillars than green tree ants. The study suggests a potential eradication program could mitigate ecological damage, but federal support is uncertain without state and local backing.
The study found that the ant species Pseudomyrmex dendroicus provides its exclusive host Triplaris americana with significant protection against herbivory and disease. The ants patrol their hosts during both day and night, aggressively attacking any herbivores they encounter.
A species of trap-jaw ant has been found to exhibit a previously unseen jumping behavior, using its legs rather than its powerful jaws. This species, Odontomachus rixosus, is the only known ant that can jump with either its legs or mandibles.
Researchers at OIST discovered two ancient genetic components involved in sex determination in ants. The study found that a mechanism called complementary sex determination is used, where females are diploid and males are haploid. This system has been linked to the evolution of sex determining genes dating back over 100 million years.
Researchers discovered army ants form complex bridges without a lead ant, adapting to terrain and optimizing food collection. The collective computation allows them to balance cost and benefit, a phenomenon that could inform the development of swarm robots.
Researchers discovered that army ant bridges can move to span large gaps and change position as needed, balancing a cost-benefit trade-off between colony benefits and worker sequestration. This finding has implications for developing swarm robotics for disaster relief and exploration.
Army ants construct complex bridges from their own bodies to span gaps and create shortcuts in the floor of the tropical forests of Central America. These living bridges are made up of dozens of ants and can assemble and disassemble in a matter of seconds.
Researchers studied ant colonies subjected to simulated predator attacks, revealing differentiated responses based on location. The results show that ants respond appropriately to damage, similar to single organisms, with colony-wide responses triggered by loss of workers within the nest.
Researchers simulated predator attacks on ant colonies, revealing coordinated responses to damage. When scouts were removed from the periphery, foraging arms retreated into the nest, while entire colonies fled when workers were removed from the center.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that ants can flow like liquids when subjected to high pressure, but also exhibit springy behavior when probed at short times. This unique combination of properties allows ants to build bridges, span gaps, and even self-assemble into rafts to survive floodwaters.