Ants learned to farm fungi during a mass extinction
Ants have cultivated fungi for millions of years, starting after the dinosaur extinction. Advanced farming species emerged 35 million years later due to climate changes, necessitating further genetic research.
Read original article
Ants have been practicing agriculture for millions of years, predating human agricultural practices. Various ant species cultivate fungi, with leafcutter ants exemplifying the most advanced form of this symbiosis. Recent research involving a comprehensive analysis of 475 fungal species and 276 ant species has shed light on the evolution of this relationship. The study indicates that the cooperation between ants and fungi likely began after the mass extinction event that eliminated the dinosaurs, a time when fungi thrived in the absence of other plant life. The research reveals that the most sophisticated farming species of ants emerged approximately 35 million years after this extinction, coinciding with significant climatic changes that reduced wild fungal availability. This led to a selection for ant species capable of cultivating fungi. The findings provide insights into the genetic adaptations that facilitated this agricultural behavior and highlight the need for further genomic comparisons between agricultural and free-living species to understand the evolution of these complex relationships.
- Ants have been farming fungi for millions of years, predating human agriculture.
- The cooperation between ants and fungi likely began after the mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs.
- The most advanced farming ant species emerged around 35 million years post-extinction due to climatic changes.
- The study involved extensive genetic analysis of both ants and fungi to trace their evolutionary relationships.
- Further research is needed to explore the genetic basis of the ants' agricultural behaviors.
Related
Ants can carry out life-saving amputations on injured nest mates, study shows
Ants perform life-saving amputations on injured nest mates, tailoring treatment based on injury location. This behavior, documented by researchers, showcases sophisticated adaptation in social insect workers to benefit the colony.
Behavioral Specialization During the Neolithic–An Evolutionary Model (2018)
The study examines the Neolithic transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies, highlighting how economic surplus influenced social division of labor, behavioral specialization, and human genetics through group dynamics.
The Simple Algorithm That Ants Use to Build Bridges (2018)
Army ants build bridges collectively using simple rules, engaging up to 20% of their colony in maintenance. Their behavior reflects trade-offs in efficiency and resource allocation, informing swarm intelligence and robotics.
Robot controlled by a king oyster mushroom blends living organisms and machines
Cornell University researchers developed biohybrid robots using living king oyster mushroom mycelium, which respond to electrical signals and light, with potential agricultural applications and ecological concerns regarding their deployment.
Deadly Fungal Infections Causing a 'Silent Pandemic', Scientists Warn
Scientists warn of a "silent pandemic" from resistant fungal infections, causing 3.8 million deaths annually. They urge global action to address this growing health crisis and regulate antifungal use.
- Several commenters reference David Attenborough's documentaries, highlighting the fascinating behaviors of termites and ants in farming fungi.
- There is a discussion about the broader implications of ants' farming practices, including their potential to farm other organisms like aphids.
- Some comments express a humorous or speculative view on the future of ants and their capabilities, suggesting they might dominate the world.
- Criticism arises regarding the portrayal of dinosaurs in relation to extinction events, emphasizing the ongoing existence of certain dinosaur clades.
- Interest in literature about ants, such as EO Wilson's book, is noted, indicating a desire for deeper understanding of these insects.
10 commentshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbbLCgh6sso
These termites are fungus farmers and feed the gigantic queen with it.
Unfortunately the fungus farming is not part of this clip, but it is also described the same program.
Edit: This is an older version of sir David Attenborough, revisiting another mound and talking about fungus farming. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGaT0B__2DM
EO Wilson’s book on ants is a personal favorite. This also has guides on how to catch and cultivate.
> David wondered if, rather than humans going extinct and letting the mushrooms take over, humans could eat the mushrooms and survive. That question led him and Joshua Pearce to research and write Feeding Everyone No Matter What
Related
Ants can carry out life-saving amputations on injured nest mates, study shows
Ants perform life-saving amputations on injured nest mates, tailoring treatment based on injury location. This behavior, documented by researchers, showcases sophisticated adaptation in social insect workers to benefit the colony.
Behavioral Specialization During the Neolithic–An Evolutionary Model (2018)
The study examines the Neolithic transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies, highlighting how economic surplus influenced social division of labor, behavioral specialization, and human genetics through group dynamics.
The Simple Algorithm That Ants Use to Build Bridges (2018)
Army ants build bridges collectively using simple rules, engaging up to 20% of their colony in maintenance. Their behavior reflects trade-offs in efficiency and resource allocation, informing swarm intelligence and robotics.
Robot controlled by a king oyster mushroom blends living organisms and machines
Cornell University researchers developed biohybrid robots using living king oyster mushroom mycelium, which respond to electrical signals and light, with potential agricultural applications and ecological concerns regarding their deployment.
Deadly Fungal Infections Causing a 'Silent Pandemic', Scientists Warn
Scientists warn of a "silent pandemic" from resistant fungal infections, causing 3.8 million deaths annually. They urge global action to address this growing health crisis and regulate antifungal use.