Articles tagged with Ants
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Researchers uncovered molecular mechanisms behind caste differentiation in insects, revealing subtle gene networks and lack of DNA methylation. The study used two species, dinosaur ants and red paper wasps, to gain insights into social evolution.
A team of biologists from OIST and University of Hong Kong analyzed a database of modern and fossil ants to determine their geographical distribution. The study reveals that ancient European ants were more similar to South East Asian modern ants than European counterparts.
A 15-year study discovered 61 new strains of fungal parasites in leaf-cutter ant nests, which could lead to new control strategies. The findings suggest that a single form of the parasite could be used to target multiple species of ants.
Research found that young male chimpanzees spend more time manipulating objects in play, but it does not prepare them for adult tool use. In contrast, immature females show a greater diversity of manipulation types and learn to use tools earlier.
Researchers at University of Bristol have discovered a new type of plant movement that uses falling raindrops to drive its trapping mechanism, outperforming the Venus flytrap. The pitcher plant's lid pivots up and down like a springboard, flinging ants into the trap with peak velocities similar to a jumping locust.
Two new 'door head' ant species have evolved saucer-like shields to block nest entrances and protect against intruders. Their unique morphologies are the second case of such specialization discovered in Africa.
Researchers at Kobe University identified novel chemosensory proteins in ant antennae, revealing cooperative modes of operation and recognition of individual information. These findings provide a starting point for elucidating the molecular mechanisms supporting complex ant societies.
A study published in Current Biology reveals that lycaenid butterfly larvae can control the behavior of ants by supplying them with nectar rich in sugars and amino acids. This manipulation reduces locomotor activity and increases aggression in the ants, suggesting a selfish strategy to maintain mutualism.
A species of ant, the northern hairy wood ant (Formica lugubris), is thriving in newly formed coniferous forests in the North York Moors National Park. The ant's population has expanded into these plantations, suggesting they provide a suitable habitat for this forest specialist species.
Researchers at University of Helsinki found that black ants can change their food taste in response to fungal pathogens. By consuming a diet with high levels of free radicals, the ants show improved resistance to infections.
A UC Riverside-led team discovered that ants detect a unique blend of hydrocarbons on individual cuticles to recognize different castes and intruders. This sophisticated pheromone system allows ants to coordinate their behaviors efficiently in large colonies with multiple castes.
Researchers discovered ants can detect subtle hydrocarbon components in body odor, allowing them to recognize individuals and distinguish between castes. This remarkable ability enables social insects to maintain complex colonies.
Researchers found that the evolutionary loss of the worker caste in ants is not accompanied by a loss of genes. Instead, most genes are expressed in both queens and workers, but often at different points in development. Regulatory changes may have facilitated the evolution of sociality.
A team of ants uses a balance between individual direction and conformist behavior to move food towards their nest, making adjustments as needed. This cooperative behavior enables the group to optimize their movement, with well-informed individuals steering the load.
Researchers found that two neighboring chimpanzee groups used distinct tool lengths despite identical army ant species availability, indicating cultural knowledge generated small-scale diversification. This study provides insights into what drives cultural differences in chimpanzees and sheds light on human cultural evolution.
Two new Hoya species, H. ruthiae and H. bakoensis, have been discovered in Borneo, showcasing the island's rich plant diversity. The study highlights their unique characteristics, such as H. ruthiae's lack of colored sap and H. bakoensis' epiphytic growth habit.
Researchers from California Academy of Sciences have described six new species of subterranean Dracula ants in Madagascar and Seychelles. These tiny ants are fierce social predators with dagger-like teeth that hunt underground or deep within leaf litter, leading a cryptic lifestyle.
Researchers discovered that Saharan silver ants use a coat of uniquely shaped hairs to control electromagnetic waves over an extremely broad range, enabling passive radiative cooling. The hair coating enhances optical reflection and radiative heat dissipation, keeping the ants' body temperature below their critical thermal maximum.
A new study from Drexel University found that underground species of army ants are less tolerant of high temperatures than their aboveground relatives. The research highlights the importance of considering microhabitat in predicting animal responses to climate change.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that trap-jaw ants use their spring-loaded mandibles to jump out of harm's way when threatened by an antlion. This behavior increases the ants' survival rate, with 15% of encounters resulting in escape.
Researchers found that trap-jaw ants use their spring-loaded mandibles to jump out of harm's way when an ant-trapping predator stalks, doubling their survival rate. The study verifies that the mandibles aid the ants' survival by allowing them to eject themselves from a dangerous predicament.
Researchers have discovered that ants' movements follow Gaussian and Pareto distributions, dictating their turns and direction. These findings have implications for coordinating micro-robots and optimizing cleaning processes.
Researchers discovered fire ants can excavate tunnels regardless of grain size, with moisture affecting only dry soils. The ants use mechanical factors and capillary forces to build stable structures.
Researchers found that infected ants clean themselves more frequently but restrict allogrooming with healthy group members. This self-restriction helps contain the pathogen's spread in the ant colony, benefiting all social animals under epidemic threat.
A new open-access article provides cutting-edge resources for identifying parasitoid wasps in Africa and Madagascar, with over 306 described species and 54 genera available for research. The resource aims to facilitate future work on the taxonomy of these wasps and their importance in ecosystems.
A study found that butterflies, such as Oakblue butterflies, use various chemical strategies to mimic plants and avoid ant attacks. The larvae are able to survive on specific plant species without being attacked by the ants.
An isotope study by North Carolina State University has found that some urban ant species have a taste for human food. The research analyzed over 100 ant samples to determine their diet composition, revealing that pavement ants on sidewalks and medians have high levels of carbon-13, indicating a diet rich in human food.
A McGill University team has identified a mechanism by which environmental factors influence the expression of genes controlling complex traits. By manipulating DNA methylation levels, researchers were able to create variation in worker ant sizes, shedding light on the interplay between genetics and environment in shaping these traits.
In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers found that ants in white plaster nests filled specific corner areas with feces of the same color as their fed food, indicating potential 'toilets'. The ants also preferentially placed these toilets in corners, highlighting a unique aspect of ant sanitation.
Researchers traced tropical fire ant origins to Acapulco, Mexico, and mapped their invasion history using genetic diversity analysis. The ants were transported on ships going between the Americas and Asia, establishing a new distribution in virtually all tropical regions.
Researchers found that hydrogels saturated with thiamethoxam dissolved in sugar water reduced the Argentine ant population by 94% in two weeks. The use of hydrogel baits offers an inexpensive, easy-to-apply alternative to traditional pesticides, reducing environmental costs and selectively targeting invasive ants.
Researchers discovered that trap-jaw ants can tell who belongs in the nest and who doesn't by recognizing the distinctive blend of odors. The ants use chemical context to assess an individual's status, a hierarchical system that is fundamental to their social structure.
Researchers found that ant-scaring insects, like beetles, allowed treehoppers to thrive, benefiting nearby rabbitbrush plants. This study highlights the interconnectedness of species in ecosystems and the importance of conservation.
Researchers at UC Riverside devised a method to isolate hydrocarbon molecules used by insects for communication and differentiation. The study found that nearly all insects produce the R form of these chemicals, paving the way for understanding their functions and potential applications in controlling pest species.
Researchers discovered that hunting bats rely on echolocation calls from fellow bats to pinpoint insect patches. By aggregating and sharing this information, bats can improve their chances of finding prey despite the challenges posed by sparse distribution and long flight distances.
Researchers discover a new type of ant-decapitating behavior in the genus Dohrniphora, where adult female flies sever ant heads and drag them off across the forest floor. This behavior challenges previous knowledge of the Phoridae family.
Researchers reconstruct genetic family tree of Pheidole ants, finding two main groups with distinct evolutionary histories in the Americas and Europe/Asia/Africa/Australia. The study reveals a deterministic pattern in climate distribution, suggesting that Pheidole's success is linked to a key innovation.
Temnothorax albipennis ants exhibit a significant leftward turning bias when exploring new nests and mazes. This behavior is attributed to the use of their left eye for detecting predators and navigating through maze-like environments.
Researchers reconstructed how fungus-growing ants improved their clonal crops into a robust farming system. The ant farmers lost the ability to produce vital amino acids and enzymes themselves, relying on the fungus for delivery.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that insects and other arthropods consume large amounts of garbage on NYC streets, including 2,100 pounds of discarded junk food per year. The researchers found that pavement ants are particularly efficient foragers in urban environments and compete with rats to eat human garbage.
Researchers found that the time spent by a drunken sailor on a square with streetlamps is constant regardless of the lamp density. This effect also applies to light waves in disordered media, rubber balls rolling across a plank, and even ant paths, revealing a universal phenomenon.
Florida harvester ants exhibit annual nest relocation behavior, constructing similar subterranean nests about once a year. The frequency and size of relocations vary among colonies, with smaller ones relocating more often than larger ones.
A study of ants in Manhattan revealed a wide range of species and significant differences in biodiversity across various urban areas. Researchers found that the type of urban habitat was more important than proximity between habitats in determining ant diversity.
Researchers are using ant behavior to develop a new method for verifying complex electronic designs. By applying swarm intelligence, these methods can efficiently search large spaces and reduce the computational cost of traditional approaches.
Scientists found that Maculinea butterfly larvae mimic Myrmica ant queen sounds to fool workers into feeding them, even when the real ants are starving. The researchers recorded and analyzed sound signals emitted by both butterflies and ants, finding similarities in patterns between the two.
West African chimpanzees employ a sophisticated tool-based technique, dubbed 'ant dipping,' to harvest army ants for sustenance. This study reveals that army ants are a significant component of the chimpanzee diet throughout the year, providing essential nutrients like protein and fats.
Roberto Bonasio, PhD, receives NIH New Innovator Award to study epigenetic memory in ants and its implications for biological processes. The award supports his research on gene expression controlled by epigenetic pathways that alter chromosome structure.
Researchers found that big-headed ant colonies produce larger soldiers when they encounter aggressive competitor ants, leading to a three-fold increase in size. Genetic analysis ruled out long-term evolutionary change, suggesting the ants adapt quickly to new environments.
Scientists have discovered a 52-million-year-old beetle fossil in India that showcases the earliest known example of myrmecophily, or ant-loving behavior. The beetle's unique adaptations enable it to bypass ant nest defenses and integrate into colony life.
A newly discovered ant species, the mirror turtle ant (Cephalotes specularis), has been found to use social parasitism by mimicking its host ant's movements and scent. The study reveals that nearly 90% of host territories are parasitized.
The University of Guam Entomology Lab has received a $50,000 USDA Forestry grant to implement control procedures for the invasive little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) on Guam. The team aims to demonstrate that these ants can be controlled through ongoing funding.
A parasitic fungus controls the behavior of ants by emitting specific chemicals when encountering their brain, not when infecting other ant species. The fungus produces a mixture of known and unknown chemicals that work in synergy to manipulate the ants' behavior.
A newly discovered species of ant, Mycocepurus castrator, has been found to support the theory of sympatric speciation, where a new species develops within a single colony. The research team found that the parasitic ants were genetically close to their host, but no longer reproductively compatible and had stopped reproducing together 3...
Researchers found that infected ants died on the 'doorstep' of the colony, creating a sniper's alley for future hosts. The parasite can be controlled but not cured, functioning as a chronic disease.
Research suggests that wildlife corridors can facilitate the spread of invasive species, such as one type of fire ant, by creating connected habitats. The study found that polygyne fire ants, which are poorly dispersing, benefited from corridors, increasing their abundance and negatively impacting native ant diversity.
A 25-year-long study reveals that ants can accelerate mineral decay, which may help geoengineer accelerated CO2 consumption. The researchers suggest that understanding ant-mineral interactions could offer a solution to sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere.
The yellow crazy ant's invasion of the Seychelles UNESCO palm forest has led to reduced abundance and species richness of endemic fauna, as well as absent molluscs in infested areas. Research is needed to assess control or exclusion options and promote resistance through habitat management.
A joint project between NC State University and the University of Florida is using cookies, citizen science, and robust research methods to collect data on ant species diversity. The School of Ants project has already yielded surprising findings, including the spread of invasive species across the US.
A new species of spider wasp, the Bone-house Wasp, uses dead ants as a unique nest-protection strategy, resulting in lower parasitism rates. The study found that this behavior is likely linked to chemical cues emanating from the dead ants.
Researchers developed an elastic polycarbonate material to produce a miniature force plate, enabling forces to be measured in the micro-Newton range. Ants were found to adopt a 'grounded running' strategy, increasing stride length and number of steps to improve stability at higher speeds.