Volledige titel:
Return of the super ants
Auteur(s):
Ed Yong
Gepubliceerd in:
Nature
Jaar van publicatie:
2012
Abstract:
An entire genus of ants, comprising more than 1,000 species, has been found to have a hidden ability to make 'supersoldiers' — larger-than-average soldier ants that defend the nest against invaders. And all it takes is a dab of hormone.
A few ant species of the Pheidole genus were already known to produce supersoldiers that deter invading army ants by blocking nest entrances with their enormous heads. Scientists have only ever seen these supersoldiers in 8 out of 1,100 Pheidole species. But a new study now makes it clear that the entire genus has the potential to create this subset of the generic worker caste.
(Lees de rest van het artikel via de link)
Webadres:
http://www.nature.com/news/return-of-th ... nts-1.9746
Return of the super ants
Auteur(s):
Ed Yong
Gepubliceerd in:
Nature
Jaar van publicatie:
2012
Abstract:
An entire genus of ants, comprising more than 1,000 species, has been found to have a hidden ability to make 'supersoldiers' — larger-than-average soldier ants that defend the nest against invaders. And all it takes is a dab of hormone.
A few ant species of the Pheidole genus were already known to produce supersoldiers that deter invading army ants by blocking nest entrances with their enormous heads. Scientists have only ever seen these supersoldiers in 8 out of 1,100 Pheidole species. But a new study now makes it clear that the entire genus has the potential to create this subset of the generic worker caste.
(Lees de rest van het artikel via de link)
Webadres:
http://www.nature.com/news/return-of-th ... nts-1.9746
