Ants cut scientists down to size
source: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14234-quickthinking-ants-trim-foliage-to-fit.html?DCMP...
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- purplefox
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Scientists at the University of Sydney have discovered that leafcutter ants change the shapes of the leaves they cut and the number of ants collecting foliage depending on the obstacles in their path. In the study, a low roof was placed over the route between a colony's collecting area and nest. Within 24hrs, the ants had entirely adapted to the new obstacle, not only cutting smaller leaves to take back to their nests but also making them rounder to maximise their surface area. More ants from the colony also started collecting the foliage to keep up the rate of productivity.
The speed and adaptability of these insects is perhaps the most astounding, particularly since nothing approaaching this level of behaviour has yet been observed in any other insect.
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Azucena
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Dont get it twisted but here in my house we like the ant!! They always get in no matter how clean we get, and my naphew, at 2yrs old, picks them up and brings them outside!! He's very nice and seems to love them alot!! Its very cute!!
- 3 years ago
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Azucena
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kewal91
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well i can still step on them
- 3 years ago
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kewal91
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baylorlebowski
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Really interesting.
Actually, RadioLab has an interesting podcast that's on a similar topic. The title of the broadcast is called "Emergence" and it was fascinating. It did raise some interesting questions, though. - 3 years ago
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baylorlebowski
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currentkid
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They are becoming smarter now its just the test labs for them, but soon it will be the world!
- 3 years ago
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currentkid
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Mr_Costello
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man, there is going to be an uprising; 300-style!
- 3 years ago
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Mr_Costello
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Neghie
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Do you think ants know what we are? Are do they simply see us as strange forces of nature that trample on their ant hills because they're messing up our lawns?
- 3 years ago
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Neghie
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J_Jammer [removed]
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Neghie:
when I see an ant I wondered what is it that they see when they see me? Or what sounds do they hear because of what I'm doing.
I know that movie "Honey I Shrank The Kids" sort of gave some perspective, but still ants don't have the same way of hearing as we do and if they did I'm sure they'd be insane because of the amount of noise we produce simply by walking around.
- 3 years ago
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J_Jammer [removed]
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J_Jammer [removed]
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The Bible states to pay attention to the ant and how it works. Ants hold a wealth of knowledge.
- 3 years ago
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J_Jammer [removed]
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UWAZell
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We have known this about ants for decades now... see army ants.
- 3 years ago
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UWAZell
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yonie
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I think the average pack of humans won't even adapt like that in a single day..
- 3 years ago
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yonie
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SkylerSinclair
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Even some animals don't have the intelligence to do that.
- 3 years ago
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SkylerSinclair
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M_Pavlov
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At least the most well adapted to the environments we create... But, ya that's pretty interesting about the ants, nothing like task management.
- 3 years ago
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M_Pavlov
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aburninggiraffe
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When us humans are gone, ants will be the ones to thrive on and conquer this measly rock.
- 3 years ago
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aburninggiraffe
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CicatrizJCP
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And we thought WE were the most adaptable species around,,,
- 3 years ago
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CicatrizJCP
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1779fleet
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I think some inscet species have a collective intelligence (yes kinda like the Borg).
Sorry about the Star Trek reference.
- 3 years ago
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1779fleet
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J_Jammer [removed]
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1779fleet:
You are allowed....the movie is months away but being excited now is so COOL!
I am excited at every small reference. ha.
- 3 years ago
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J_Jammer [removed]
