Source: DH
Subject: Species in News
Context: Scientists from Karnataka and Odisha have discovered two new army ant species in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.
About Army Ant Species:
What they are?
- Army ants are highly social, nomadic predatory ants known for their coordinated mass raids. The newly identified species — Aenictus chittoorensis and Aenictus lankamallensis — were discovered in the Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary in the Southern Eastern Ghats.
Habitat:
- Primarily found in tropical forest ecosystems.
- Thrive in dense forest floors with high arthropod diversity.
- Do not build permanent nests; instead form temporary living structures called bivouacs made from their own bodies.
Key Characteristics
- Highly aggressive and coordinated predators: They hunt in large, synchronized groups that can overpower much bigger prey.
- Large, sharp mandibles and stinging ability: Strong jaws and stings help them capture, kill, and defend against threats.
- Completely blind; rely on pheromones: They use chemical trails to communicate and navigate instead of vision.
- Move in straight columns during raids: They march in organized lines to efficiently sweep and hunt across the forest floor.
- Form massive colonies: Thousands of ants act together as one unit while foraging and relocating.
Significance:
- Act as keystone predators, regulating arthropod populations.
- Support ecological balance by driving insects out, making them prey for birds and reptiles.
- Contribute to nutrient cycling and forest biodiversity.
