Saturday, June 02, 2007
How instant road repairs keep army ants marching - The Independent
A new study has shed light on the selfless heroism and teamwork displayed by army ants, long considered to be among the most belligerent small carnivores in the animal kingdom.
New research has found that the ants, on their way back to their nest after a feeding trip, co-operate to plug potholes on bumpy rainforest floors, "selflessly" using their bodies to smoothly pave the way for their fellow ants.
The insects, which often forage in large groups, even "choose" which of them is best to fit in different-sized gaps, and co-operate over how to fill bigger holes ...
...
* Army ants are nomadic and make temporary nests from their own bodies. The ants form walls by fastening to each other using their jaws and claws.
* Nests are hierarchically divided. The larger soldiers focus on defence, the medium-sized workers forage and the smallest tend the queen's brood.
* The ants migrate to find food, "marching" at night. Acting together, they can kill lizards, snakes, chickens, pigs, goats, scorpions and even birds.
A new study has shed light on the selfless heroism and teamwork displayed by army ants, long considered to be among the most belligerent small carnivores in the animal kingdom.
New research has found that the ants, on their way back to their nest after a feeding trip, co-operate to plug potholes on bumpy rainforest floors, "selflessly" using their bodies to smoothly pave the way for their fellow ants.
The insects, which often forage in large groups, even "choose" which of them is best to fit in different-sized gaps, and co-operate over how to fill bigger holes ...
...
* Army ants are nomadic and make temporary nests from their own bodies. The ants form walls by fastening to each other using their jaws and claws.
* Nests are hierarchically divided. The larger soldiers focus on defence, the medium-sized workers forage and the smallest tend the queen's brood.
* The ants migrate to find food, "marching" at night. Acting together, they can kill lizards, snakes, chickens, pigs, goats, scorpions and even birds.
Labels: animals
Comments:
Post a Comment
| Get a hit counter here. |
