DID YOU KNOW THAT?

BY: CAMILA GARZON

The ants of the voracious species Megaponera analysis, widespread in the south of the Sahara, rescue the companions who are injured when they go out to hunt termites, their favorite prey. Two to four times a day, these ants come out of their hive, placed in long rows, to hunt termites, which are not exactly an easy prey as they defend themselves with strength from their predators. As is the case in any battle, some are usually injured, as termites resist biting ants, causing amputations.

Scientists have observed that wounded ants (compared to soldiers) segregate a series of chemicals that serve to warn their partners that they are injured.

This is the first time that this behavior is observed in invertebrate animals, according to the authors of this study, published this week in the journal Science Advances and made in Costa de Mar.