The secrets of the little ant that forces lions to change their behavior

Access The big-headed ant triggers a series of events Resulting in a change in behavior that may further endanger cat populations.

Global human activities have moved species from their origins to remote locations around the world. These displaced species may have an impact on the current ecology of their new location They range from harmful to positive, Many of its effects may be more subtle than one might expect.

For example, the big-headed ant, originally described on the island of Mauritius, has spread throughout most of the tropical and subtropical world. Now, in a study published in the journal SciencesThis was reported by a team of scientists A small, harmless, invasive ant species changes the tree's cover In a wilderness area of ​​East Africa, making it difficult for lions, the world's most famous predator, to hunt their favorite animals: zebras.

“These invaders are mysteriously pulling at the links that unite the African ecosystem, determining who is devoured where,” the specialists said in their document, which brings together specialists from the universities of Florida, Columbia, Wyoming and the US Bioscience Center. Southwest US Geological Survey.

The document, which covers research spanning more than three decades, included A combination of hidden camera traps and collared lions tracked via satellite and statistical models. Through this monitoring mechanism, the work team was able to show… A complex web of interactions between ants, trees, elephants, lions, zebras and buffalo.

The turmoil begins Acacia from Ol Pejeta Nature Conservancy, Central African Wildlife Area Kenya. Historically, trees are protected from foliage-eating animals by a species of ants that nest in the swollen thorns of trees. In exchange for their home, they fiercely defend the trees against giant herbivores, such as elephants, giraffes and others, an agreement environmentalists call reciprocity.

In studies published in the early 2000s, the same team began to unravel the complexities of this relationship in East Africa between plant and animal species. To their surprise, they discovered this These little ants served as incredibly strong defenders and essentially stabilized the tree cover In these landscapes, making it possible for acacia trees to persist in a place with many large herbivorous mammals.

However, in the latest study, scientists say that the arrival of A The invasive insect known as the big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala) It sets off a chain of events that leads to a shift in predator and prey behavior, potentially further endangering lion populations, a species already on the verge of extinction.

the Big-headed ants are small, but they are voracious hunters of insects. They destroy colonies of ants that protect trees but do not defend trees from larger animals. After losing his bodyguards Acacia is destroyed by elephants.

Lions, which are ambush predators, They rely on tree cover for the stem And hide before the zebras pounce. The lack of tree cover means that lions are not as successful at ambushing their prey.

Specialists discovered that this The tiny invasive ants may have appeared 15 years ago None of them noted that they are not aggressive towards large prey, including humans. Now they notice that they are transforming the landscape in very subtle ways but with devastating effects.

To make the most of this bad situation, the lions turn their attention to the buffalo. However, they are larger than zebras and hang out in groups, making them much more solitary prey. Nature is smart and creatures like lions tend to find solutions to the problems they face, but scientists still don't know what could result from such a profound change in hunting strategy.

These ants are found everywhere, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Specialists are working with land managers to investigate interventions, including temporary fencing of large herbivores, to reduce the impact of invasive ants on tree populations.

* Todd Palmer is an ecologist and professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Florida. This article arises from research Disrupting ant-plant mutualism shapes interactions between lions and their primary prey. Published in Sciences. Also participating were Douglas N. Camaro, Corinna Regnus, Adam T. Ford, Gene Belanape, Robert M. Schirra, John M. Gothaiga, Bernard C. Jetko, Brandon R. Hayes, and Jacob R. Goheen.