Ants warn of death: Ingenious early warning system discovered!

Ants warn of death: Ingenious early warning system discovered!

Why are ants the perfect example of altruism in the animal world? This is what researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) found out when they discovered an amazing early warning system in ant pupae. These pupae emit a chemical signal when they are terminally ill, indicating that there is a risk of infection for the entire colony. The team describes this behavior as an altruistic disease signaling system that operates within the ants' social structures.

In a study published in the renowned journal Nature Communications published, workers were shown to respond to these odor signals by removing the diseased pupae from the nest and disinfecting them with formic acid. Although this treatment is effective against the pathogens, the pupa does not survive this procedure, which is critical to maintaining the health of the colony.

A system to protect the community

Research shows that not every infection immediately triggers an alarm signal. Pupae of future queens can often contain infections on their own without sending an urgent signal. The alarm signal is only activated when the doll loses the fight against the pathogens. In this context, the pupae become a selfless shield for their relatives, ensuring that the entire colony is protected from a possible outbreak.

The signal itself is based on non-volatile odor components present on the surface of the diseased pupae. Two components of this scent profile are enhanced in involuntarily infected animals. This is reminiscent of the “find-me-and-eat-me” signal that human cells emit when they are terminally damaged and attract immune cells. The similar function of these altruistic signals illustrates how ant colonies act as a kind of “super-organism,” similar to the specialized cells in the human body.

Altruism in nature

These altruistic behavior patterns are consistent with the fundamentals of altruism, which suggest that animals help others as a way to indirectly pass on their own genes. To illustrate this, one could even use Hamilton's rule: Helping behavior is encouraged when the benefit to the recipient (multiplied by the genetic relationship) outweighs the cost to the helper. By showing symptoms of illness and sending signals, the pupae help maintain their genetic lineage through daughter colonies.

As with all wildlife, this example illustrates the deep-rooted instinct for self-preservation and community survival. By sending out chemical signals and receiving corresponding reactions, ants ensure that their descendants - and thus their genes - can continue to exist in the future. Such behaviors show how complex animal interactions are and how important they are for the survival of their fellow animals.

In summary, the study of the warning systems of these little crawlers not only sheds light on the practices of ants, but also questions and clarifies the entire concept of altruism in nature. The details of this research are not only important for science, but also provide fascinating insights into the social behavior of animals.