Ant Surgery: How Florida Carpenter Ants Combat Infections 

Discover the fascinating world of Florida carpenter ants and their unique approach to treating injuries. In this video, we explore groundbreaking research revealing how these ants perform surgical amputations to combat infections among nestmates. From femur injuries to tibia wounds, each treatment method is carefully tailored, showcasing an impressive level of medical strategy in the animal kingdom. Join as we delve into the science behind ant behaviors and their implications for understanding cooperative healthcare systems in nature.
Citation:
Erik.T. Frank, Dany Buffat, Joanito Liberti, Lazzat Aibekova, Evan P. Economo, Laurent Keller. Wound-dependent leg amputations to combat infections in an ant society. Current Biology, 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.021
dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.021
Images:
"florida carpenter ant" by birdzilla is licensed under CC BY 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/?ref=openverse.
"Florida Carpenter Ant - Camponotus floridanus?, Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida" by Judy Gallagher is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.