Ant Wars II

YOUR LINK HERE:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iKyrDtfzqnM

Ant wars are common in the Neotropics. To protect them from attacks from other leaf-cutter ant species some species of leaf-cutter ants have evolved biomineral armor. The smaller ant above is an Acromyrmex echinatior leaf-cutter ant. Her exoskeleton is covered with high-magnesium calcite biomineral that acts as armor. This armor gives her protection from the the significantly larger Atta cephalotes soldier. Acting as a deterrent the armor helps her fend of the Atta soldier, resulting in the soldier eventually playing dead , and the Acromyrmex walking away from the interaction. • Publication Biomineral armor in leaf-cutter ants Nature Communications. • https://www.nature.com/articles/s4146... • Link to Ant War Part I • • Ant Wars II • For more information about Leaf-cutter ants and our research follow us on • Twitter/ Instagram/ Facebook: @uwcurrielab • Visit our website: • https://currielab.wisc.edu/ • And • Ant Cam Live on YouTube • • UWCurrieLab Foraging Ant Cam • Video was recorded and edited by CM Carlson as a part of University of Wisconsin- Madison Bacteriology Department.

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