One of the most interesting things about ants is how well they've adapted to their surroundings. No matter how hostile an environment is, or how devoid of life it can seem to appear, one can bet that ants have mastered that land. Except for the poles, ants live in almost every type of environment. Where some ants have colonized places like the lush tropical forests of Brazil, others have mastered mixed European woodlands, In this case, one group has taken to a specialized life of 'sowing seeds.'
Of the ~100 known Messor species (otherwise known as Harvester ants), this journal will profile the journey of a single queen's (Species : Messor barbarus) path to empirical status. The name "Messor" derives from the Roman god of crops and harvest, Messor.
Messor spp. are polymorphic and have a distinct caste of macrocephalic dinoergates (aka the large-headed soldier caste) whose role is to carry and mince the large seeds. These ants are Monogynous, and contain usually only one queen.
This is the journal of my Messor barbarus queen, who has yet to lay her first set of eggs. She came from Europe in perfect condition, and my personal research will begin right away. She actually has four eggs as of now. I will post a picture of her this evening, she is absolutely GORGEOUS. Until then, see you!
February 7, 2012 at 1:41 PM
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