Biologist Nicole Gerardo gives a tour of the complex world of fungus-growing ants. These gardening insects may provide clues to improving agriculture methods and fighting diseases.
@williamsinclair101uk These fungus growing ants are leaf-cutting ants. It starts out when a young queen takes a group of drones from the nest to form a new colony. The queen also takes a clump of the fungus from the old nest, Then the drones start setting up the colony and also getting leaves. Then when there's enough leaves, they take the clump and attach it to the leaves. Naturally, the fungus grows. The ants survive. The fungi survive.
Yep, Fungus expands, and ants get food. Partnership.
This was spot on what I'm studying now, "Fungi and the origins of agriculture". Very intriguing and incredible.
Njhawkes1234 1 month ago
@williamsinclair101uk These fungus growing ants are leaf-cutting ants. It starts out when a young queen takes a group of drones from the nest to form a new colony. The queen also takes a clump of the fungus from the old nest, Then the drones start setting up the colony and also getting leaves. Then when there's enough leaves, they take the clump and attach it to the leaves. Naturally, the fungus grows. The ants survive. The fungi survive.
Yep, Fungus expands, and ants get food. Partnership.
HellHound60248 6 months ago
how do you give a ant fungie?
williamsinclair101uk 8 months ago
@rubthesleep some species has. like the large species has big queen and smaller species about twice to four times bigger from queen to worker
gtariman03 10 months ago
i didnt know queens were so large!
rubthesleep 10 months ago
I love Atta spec. :) :) :)
Philipp022 1 year ago
yeah, much more than my job.
morse3388 2 years ago
Very interesting
walkerda5nine 2 years ago
first comment! this vid is great ;)
Mad3InRomania 2 years ago