Representing a significant part of terrestrial animal biomass, ants live in numerous colonies and reduced spaces. However, they can remain protected against the spread of disease within their communities.
It is estimated that ants constitute between 15 and 20% of all terrestrial animal biomass and, in some tropical regions, this percentage may exceed 25%, according to. Despite the high population density in nests, epidemics are rare among these insects.
Change of behaviors
A 2018 study analyzed the behavior of garden ant colonies when exposed to infectious spores. Researchers observed that insects modified their habits to reduce contact between different groups within the colony.
The colonies are composed of ants that work inside the nest and those who go out to look for food. When scientists exposed the nests to the pathogen agent, they found that ants interacted more with each other and less with other groups.
This behavioral change has reduced pathogen propagation within the colony, acting as an effective strategy to contain the disease.
Prioritization
In addition, ants have given priority to the protection of the most important individuals for the group’s survival: the queen and young ants. Thus, they guaranteed the continuity of the colony even in adverse situations.
Another observation made by the researchers was that some ants exposed to reduced doses of pathogens developed a stronger immune response. This mechanism is similar to the principle of vaccines used in humans.
Rigorous habits
Ants also maintain strict hygiene habits within the nest. A study published in Journal of Evolutionary Biology It has shown that these insects practice the so -called allogooming, a behavior in which they clean each other to remove potentially infectious particles.
Researchers in Austria have found that ants adjust hygiene care based on the infection level of their companions. When an individual has signs of exposure to multiple pathogenic agents, ants increase the use of formic acid, an antimicrobial compound produced in their poison glands.
Substances with antifungal properties
In addition to cleaning their own body, some ant species use natural substances with antifungal properties within the nest. Baby ants, for example, collect tree resin and place it near the offspring, probably due to their antimicrobial effect.
One study suggests that these ants combine resin with formic acid, creating an even more effective compound in preventing fungal infections within the nest.
Other species adopt more extreme measurements. In some situations, these animals eliminate or expel infected individuals from the group to prevent the disease from spreading.
The garden invasive ants showed additional behavior of protection for formic acid pulverization inside the nest, reducing the risk of contamination.
Case that gives protection
According to researchers from IST Austria, some pupae are resistant to formic acid due to the protective cocoon surrounding them. Scientists compared this mechanism to the use of protection gloves by humans during disinfection processes.
Ant behaviors show how some natural strategies can be effective in containing outbreaks within densely populated communities.
According to Nathalie Stroeymeyt, a researcher at the University of Bristol, some selected principles can serve as inspiration for epidemics strategies in humans.
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