Ants cut scientists down to size
- added July 1, 2008
- 16 responses
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- purplefox
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- Earth and Science (12439)
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- Ants (15)
Ants have been proven to be farmers, trappers, traffic wardens... and now it turns out they can be excellent strategists and problem-solvers too.
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.
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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I think some inscet species have a collective intelligence (yes kinda like the Borg).
Sorry about the Star Trek reference. -
And we thought WE were the most adaptable species around,,,
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- CicatrizJCP
- 3 months ago
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When us humans are gone, ants will be the ones to thrive on and conquer this measly rock.
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- aburninggiraffe
- 3 months ago
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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.
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Even some animals don't have the intelligence to do that.
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- SkylerSinclair
- 3 months ago
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I think the average pack of humans won't even adapt like that in a single day..
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We have known this about ants for decades now... see army ants.
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The Bible states to pay attention to the ant and how it works. Ants hold a wealth of knowledge.
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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?
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- Mr_Costello
- 3 months ago
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They are becoming smarter now its just the test labs for them, but soon it will be the world!
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- currentkid
- 3 months ago
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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.-
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- baylorlebowski
- 3 months ago
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well i can still step on them
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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!!
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