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Description: Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae & along with the related wasps & bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago & diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than 12,500 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified. Ants form colonies that range in size from a few dozen predatory individuals living in small natural cavities to highly organised colonies that may occupy large territories & consist of millions of individuals. Larger colonies consist mostly of sterile, wingless females forming castes of workers, soldiers, or other specialised groups. Nearly all ant colonies also have some fertile males called drones & one or more fertile females called queens. The colonies sometimes are described as superorganisms because the ants appear to operate as a unified entity, collectively working together to support the colony. Ants have colonised almost every landmass on Earth. The only places lacking indigenous ants are Antarctica & a few remote or inhospitable islands. Ants thrive in most ecosystems & may form 15-25% of the terrestrial animal biomass. Their success in so many environments has been attributed to their social organisation & their ability to modify habitats, tap resources, & defend themselves. Ant societies have division of labour, communication between individuals, & an ability to solve complex problems. These parallels with human societies have long been an inspiration & subject of study. Many human cultures make use of ants in cuisine, medication, & rituals. Some species are valued in their role as biological pest control agents. Their ability to exploit resources may bring ants into conflict with humans, however, as they can damage crops & as the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), are regarded as invasive species, establishing themselves in areas where they have been introduced accidentally.
Uploaded By: femcat38
Date: 4/5/2014
Views: 337
File Size: 40 KB
