john hawks weblog

paleoanthropology, genetics and evolution

ants

  • Ant magnetism

    Wed, 2009-05-20 18:21 -- John Hawks

    Strike "compass" off the list of human inventions not shared with ants:

    "The incorporation of minerals probably starts as soon as ants start getting in touch with soil," she added, explaining to Discovery News that her team found ultra fine-grained crystals of magnetic magnetite, maghemite, hematite, goethite, and aluminum silicates in ant antennae. These particles could make a "biological compass needle" that drives ant GPS.

    I for one welcome our magnetic myrmelords.

    Tags: 
    insects
    dispersal
    ants
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