[Faline]

One thousand ants are to be fitted with tiny radio receivers in a world first experiment to find out how they communicate and travel between their complex nests.
The three-year project by researchers from the University of York will take place on the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate, Derbyshire, a hotspot for the northern hairy wood ant.
The unique site contains more than a thousand nests and is home to up to 50million workers from Britain's largest ant species, which are internationally protected.



Experts will carefully catch them and in a few seconds attach a 1mm radio receiver to each. The ants are the size of an adult thumbnail but researchers say the process will not interfere with or harm them in any way.
With the receivers attached, scientists will be able to examine how the ants communicate with each other in their colonies, which are housed in several nests connected by a network of ant highways, with multiple queens spread between them.

The findings from the research will then be used by National Trust staff on the Longshaw estate to manage the ancient woodland, made up of oak and birch trees, where the ants can be found.
Samuel Ellis, a biologist from the University of York, who will be carrying out the research, said: 'This research is about trying to find out how the ants communicate and commute between the vast network of nests and how they travel in this environment.
'The radio receivers act like a barcode to mark out each individual ant. A single ant is not particularly clever but is part of an elaborate system that is clearly performing very effectively at Longshaw.
'The way the ants use this network has important implications for how they interact with their environment. And the way information is passed through the network may even have implications for our information and telecommunications networks.'

Findings will influence the land management of Longshaw. The ants depend on sap-sucking aphids that favour oak, birch and pine trees but northern hairy wood ant populations struggle in dense woodland of this kind.

The ants use the honeydew produced by gently stroking these aphids to feed their young and in return the ants protect the aphids.
Chris Millner, National Trust Area Ranger at Longshaw, said: 'It is fascinating to sit and watch the ants as they go about their business and they are easy to spot on a sunny day as they gather in vast numbers around their nests at this very special site.
'We will be carrying out some forestry work over the next few years, removing lots of conifer trees from modern plantations which will create a larger area of wood pasture, ideal for the ants to move into.
'The study will give us a real picture of where the ants are and how we can improve the habitat for them and other wildlife without causing disturbance.'
The northern hairy wood ant has an international near-threatened conservation status with the two main populations in England found in the Peak District (including Longshaw) and in the North York Moors.

[Sharon]

That is really cool and the outcome will be fascinating Think of all the other beasties that could be kitted out and researched this way.

[kellyhound]

cool, bet it's even more complex than we think it is.

[DiamondSmiles]

Some humans think they are the smartest and best species of all!

Were cockroaches around before humans?

[zombie-rot420]

This is the first step of creating spy ants by the govt.

[TwistedPrincess]

did i just read that this certain breed of ant is protected??? i'm all for animal rights but ants????? if it comes down to my picnic and some fucking ants, it's raid. if it comes down to ants in my apartment, its ant bait. raid and other insecticides don't care if they are protected or not. and neither do i.

remember how way back when people used to claim that aliens from outer space implanted a chip in their head to keep track of them? these ants are going to be talking about those giant monsters and how they have attached something to them to keep track of them. at least they will carry the proof of it.

yep, i'm with zombie rot 420. soon when one says the govt has placed "bugs" in their home, they will mean it literally.