Farming Ants: Leafcutters and Fungus Growers
Hundreds of ant species live as farmers in the warmer regions of North and South America. These insects- a single evolutionary radiation- cultivate an edible fungus fed with bits of vegetative debris, or in the case of the leafcutter ants, with live vegetation.
Apterostigma auriculatum fungus-growing ants are true agriculturalists. They subsist on a fungus they cultivate with bits of collected detritus.
Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Apterostigma auriculatum fungus-growing ants are true agriculturalists. They subsist on a fungus they cultivate with bits of collected detritus.
Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Canon EOS 20D |
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Current: 776x600 |
