Can Ants Kill Theirself?
WouterWhether ants can kill themselves is a mystery. But researchers have found that some species of fungi are capable of driving ants to suicide.
The fungus first enters the ant as a single cell. It then works to create short tubes between the cells, allowing it to communicate and exchange nutrients.
After the fungus infects the ant, it then works to control its muscles. It releases chemicals that force the muscles to contract. It also controls the ant’s distance from the ground. It then attempts to find a new host.
Some ants have symbiotic microbes that help them digest plant matter. Others have pigment to protect their sensitive photocells.
There is also a parasite that can penetrate ant muscle cells. The parasite, known as Ophiocordyceps, drains a red muscle fiber. It then grows into the spaces between muscle cells.
The fungus then works to take over the ant’s jaw muscle. When it reaches the ant’s brain, it does not attack it directly. It instead floats in the ant’s bloodstream.
Some ants have a carpetlike layer over their brain. This layer makes them behave erratically. It draws the attention of birds and other animals. The fungus also controls the ant’s temperature and humidity.
The ant’s brain has 250,000 neurones. It is able to regenerate photo-pigment in the dark. It is also able to regain its vision after it has been blinded by bright light.
Other ants, such as the army ants, have a tendency to commit mass suicide. They form a circle around their leader, circling around until exhaustion sets in. They lose track of their pheromone scent and eventually become disoriented.
