We could stand to learn a lot from ants, those tiny hustlers that team up for their greater good. Turns out, however, that if the team is too big, each individual tends to contribute less, a phenomenon known as the Ringelmann effect. And it’s not just specific to ants. @PopSci@flipboard.com explains:

https://flip.it/fAG-DE

#Science #Animals #Insects #Ants #Teamwork

  • otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    1·
    7 months ago

    Fun fact! Nearly all known ant species are produced by each nest’s lone queen and up to six male offspring of hers, therefore making each ant a mere 0.001% genetically different than every other ant in said colony. For perspective, that’s functionally akin to the genetic differences between one’s own organs.

    So, is the reason we describe them as a community rather than a single organism (ie. jellyfish, coral, etc ) a question of human perception?

    Oh, and since they communicate via pheromones (complex scent triggers with precise neurological effects), every queen is commanding her brood telepathically —by proxy, all the way down.

    Ants are incredible.