Research has revealed that Megaponera analis ants, which live in Africa, possess a sophisticated method for managing infections. These ants hunt termites, a process that often results in physical injuries during combat.
Survival rates and infection management
During hunting raids, the risk of injury is high. Scientists observed that a significant portion of the population carries physical damage from these encounters. To combat infections, ants use secretions from their metapleural gland, which contains antibiotics, enzymes, and disinfectants.
Impact of social care on survival
In controlled experiments, researchers applied Pseudomonas aeruginosa—a bacterium that also causes infections in humans and can be resistant to antibiotics—to wounds. The results showed a stark difference in survival depending on whether the injured ant received help from its colony members.
Detection of infection
The ants do not just treat any wound; they specifically identify those that are infected. This recognition becomes particularly active approximately 10 to 12 hours after the injury, coinciding with the peak of the infection. The caring ant first licks the wound and then applies the metapleural gland secretion to the site.
