Explorando o comportamento das formigas: A experiência da maçã

Ants are fascinating creatures with diverse behaviors, making them an ideal subject for observation and experimentation. In this article, we’ll explore the findings of a unique experiment where three ant species interacted with a simple apple slice. The study was conducted by the Ants Documentary team, with valuable support from Antstore in Berlin, Germany.

Introduction to the Experiment

The experiment aimed to observe how three distinct ant species—Atta mexicana, Camponotus singularis, and Carebara diversa—react when presented with apple material. Would their unique traits and instincts shape different approaches to this task?

The setup featured individual enclosures for each species, equipped with controlled environments designed to mimic their natural habitats. High-quality timelapse equipment captured their interactions to give us a closer look at their fascinating behaviors.

Here you can find our experiment in film:

Species 1: Atta mexicana – The Leafcutter Ants

Atta mexicana, native to Mexico and parts of the southern United States, is renowned for its exceptional organizational skills. Known as leafcutters, these ants cultivate fungus as their primary food source.

To achieve this, Atta mexicana employs a highly specialized and cooperative workforce. Foragers venture out in search of fresh vegetation, cutting leaves into manageable pieces and transporting them back to the nest. These leaf fragments are not consumed directly but serve as the foundation for their fungus farms. Within the intricate chambers of their underground nests, workers meticulously chew the leaves into a pulp, creating a suitable substrate for the growth of their symbiotic fungus.

Atta formiga operária mexicana

Observations:

Initially puzzled by the apple, the Atta mexicana ants struggled with its tough skin. Once a small incision was made to assist them, their teamwork became apparent. In their methodical spinning motion, the workers peeled the apple layer by layer. They approached the task with precision, ensuring the apple remained stable by leaving its base intact until the very end.

Over two and a half days, they consumed the entire apple, even integrating the stem into their fungus garden. Notably, the humid environment of the formicarium, or the ants’ swift removal of layers, prevented the apple from browning.

Key Takeaway:

O Atta mexicana demonstrated their adaptability and efficiency, showcasing their ability to repurpose tools for tasks beyond their typical behaviors.

Species 2: Camponotus singularis – The Carpenter Ants

Camponotus singularis, a large ant species native to tropical regions, is known for its strong mandibles and opportunistic feeding habits.

These ants are versatile in their approach to foraging, capable of adapting to various food sources depending on availability. Their robust mandibles allow them to break through tough plant matter, access nectar, or scavenge for protein-rich sustenance. This opportunistic feeding behavior ensures their survival in diverse environments, where resources may fluctuate unpredictably.

Beyond their feeding habits, Camponotus singularis exhibits remarkable social behavior within its colonies. Members work collectively, with specialized roles designated for gathering food, defending the nest, and nurturing the young. Their ability to cooperate enables them to thrive, even under challenging conditions.

Observations:

Unlike the leafcutters, the Camponotus singularis showed minimal interest in the apple. A few individuals attempted to bite into it, but most ignored it altogether. Instead, they prioritized their usual activities, such as moving debris and sharing honey through trophallaxis on top of the apple slice.

Hypotheses:

Their lack of interest could be attributed to two factors:

  1. They were already well-fed and had no need for an additional food source.
  2. The apple’s acidity may not have appealed to their taste preferences.

Key Takeaway:

O Camponotus singularis highlighted how environmental factors and colony needs influence dietary choices.

Species 3: Carebara diversa – The Swarming Specialists

Carebara diversa ant species from asia queen with worker ants and major worker ANTSTORE ANTCUBE

The final species, Carebara diversa, is known for its swarm-based strategies and size polymorphism, allowing it to tackle complex tasks.

This ant species exhibits an extraordinary division of labor within its colonies, leveraging its size polymorphism to great effect. The colony comprises ants of varying sizes, each specialized for specific roles. Smaller workers often focus on delicate tasks, such as brood care and nest maintenance, while larger workers, or “majors,” act as defenders and heavy lifters in resource transport. This physical diversity ensures that every challenge is met with the most suitable approach.

Observations:

Given their smaller size, the Carebara diversa were provided with a smaller apple slice. They swarmed it aggressively, extracting its juice over several days. Unlike the Atta mexicana, the apple browned as they worked, potentially due to their slower pace and extraction method. They extracted the juice more efficiently when the apple was placed on the floor than when it was on a small plate.

Interestingly, the ants organized tunnel systems beneath the apple to access its juice more efficiently. After seven days, they lost interest in the apple but displayed brief curiosity when offered a banana slice.

Key Takeaway:

O Carebara diversa exhibited problem-solving abilities through collective swarm behavior, highlighting their resourcefulness.

Conclusion: Insights into Ant Behavior

This experiment revealed the unique behaviors and adaptations of each species:

  • Atta mexicana excelled in their methodical and efficient approach, adapting their skills to tackle the apple.
  • Camponotus singularis demonstrated selective feeding behaviors, possibly influenced by environmental or dietary factors.
  • Carebara diversa showcased aggressive and innovative problem-solving, emphasizing the power of swarm coordination.

Through this simple yet revealing experiment, we gained valuable insights into the diversity and specialization of ant species. It highlights how ants’ unique traits influence their interactions with their environment and resources.

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