Pull CD. Social evolution: Limb amputation prevents infection in ants.
Curr Biol 2024;
34:R677-R679. [PMID:
39043138 DOI:
10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.047]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Social insect workers, renowned for their altruism, are frequently perceived as 'disposable'. A new study finds that ants amputate the limbs of nestmates, which saves them from infection, and indicates that worker care is as critical to colony success as sacrifice.
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