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Matabele Ants: Warriors and Healers in the Insect Kingdom


Megaponera analis matabele ants care
Megaponera analis ant just defeated a termite

In the vast and vibrant tapestry of the insect kingdom, Matabele ants (Megaponera analis) stand out as the embodiment of both ferocity and compassion. Ants known as Matabele are named after the Matabele tribe, ferocious African warriors known for their cunning raiding tactics that led to their defeat of numerous other tribes in the 1800s. These unique ant species, found across sub-Saharan Africa, have captivated our interest with their complex behaviours and societal structures. Known as one of the largest ants, these African Matabele ants are famous for their coordinated raids on termite nests, showcasing an unparalleled level of teamwork and military-like precision, similar to the Army ants. Matabele ants eat termites only. Their existence challenges our understanding of the natural world, demonstrating that even the smallest creatures can have an immense impact on their ecosystems. The study of Matabele ants not only enriches our knowledge of entomology but also sheds light on the intricate balance of predator-prey relationships and the evolutionary advancements of social insects. These ants are not suitable for ant-keeping due to their natural habitat and nutrition needs and higher requirements for climate.


As we delve into the captivating world of Matabele ants, we will explore their fierce raiding behaviour, showcasing how they organize themselves into efficient armies to take down termite nests. Our journey will also take us through the fascinating dynamics of their colonies, examining factors like colony size, reproduction, and the life cycle that sustains their empire beneath the undergrowth. Additionally, we will uncover the compassionate side of these warriors through their rescue behaviour— a rare phenomenon among insects where Matabele ants tend to their injured comrades with a level of wound care akin to paramedics. This exploration will not only introduce you to the enthralling biology and behaviour of Matabele ants but also highlight their significance in the broader context of biodiversity and ecological balance in Africa. Join us as we uncover the secrets of these extraordinary ants, warriors and healers of the insect kingdom.

The Fierce Warriors: Matabele Ants' Raiding Behavior

The Matabele ants' raiding behaviour is a remarkable display of coordination and division of labour. When a scout ant discovers an active termite foraging site, it initiates a raid by recruiting approximately 500 to 1,000 nestmates and leading them in a column-like march formation to the termites, which can be up to 100 meters away from the nest. Every raid is well organized and super-efficient and lasts no longer than an hour. Imagine that superb war power!

Scout and Raid Formation

The scout ant who found the termite site takes the lead and guides the raiding party. The column formation is strategically organized, with larger ants (majors) positioned at the front and rear, while the smaller ants (minors) follow in the middle. This formation serves specific purposes:

  1. The large ants at the front help break open the protective soil cover created by the termites, allowing access for the raiding party.

  2. The smaller ants in the middle rush into these openings to kill and collect the termite prey. The Matabele ant paralyzes termites with its sting during a termite raid. They have a potent sting so be aware of large, 20mm ant formations marching in the wild while visiting South Africa!

  3. The large ants at the rear act as a rearguard, protecting the column from potential predators. Isn't Ant Kingdom fascinating?

Division of Labour During Raids

During the raid, a clear division of labour is observed:

  1. Scouts: These are typically the largest ants in the colony. They initiate the raid by locating the termite site and recruiting nestmates. During the raid, scouts position themselves at the periphery, potentially searching for nearby termite sites. These massive ants are fearless!

  2. Termite Carriers: After the hunt, larger ants collect the dead termites in their mandibles, forming balls of up to 12 small termite workers. Approximately one-third of the ants in an average raid are responsible for carrying the termite prey back to the nest.

  3. Injured Ant Carriers:

    During the war, lots of ants are getting injured by the huge termite's hook-like mandibles so the largest ants carry injured nestmates, picking them up during the raid or on the return journey.

termite mandibles
Termite's mandibles

4. Lingerers and Runners: These are large ants that do not carry anything. Lingerers remain at the hunting ground for a short time after the raid, while runners move quickly along the sides of the returning column, potentially scouting for new termite sites.

5. Raid guards: Non-carrying major ants in the column act as security guards, responding aggressively to any disturbances or potential threats.

This intricate organization and division of labour during raids showcase the Matabele ants' remarkable adaptations for efficient termite hunting and colony defence.


Colony Dynamics: Size, Reproduction, and Life Cycle

Colony Structure and Size

The Matabele ant (Megaponera analis) colonies are highly organized and can reach staggering sizes, with some colonies exceeding 20 million members. These colonies are headed by a single ergatoid queen, who is the only reproductive individual. The worker caste exhibits a continuous, bimodal size distribution, ranging from 5mm small minors to 18mm large majors, a phenomenon known as physical polyethism. The majors are almost half of the colony. The queen ant reaches 25mm!

Matabele ant colonies typically range in size from 1,000 to 2,500 adult ants, although colony size can vary depending on factors such as location and age. Larger colonies are more capable of conducting successful raids on termite nests, which are their primary source of food.

Reproductive Roles and Colony Establishment

Reproduction in Matabele ant colonies is momogyne, which is carried out exclusively by the lone queen, as mated workers are absent. During the mating season, winged queens and drones (males) are produced. The drones are larger than the soldier ants, while the queens are significantly larger than the workers.

Like most ants, the workers and soldiers in a Matabele ant colony are sterile, non-reproductive females. Mating occurs on the wing, and after mating, the queens establish new colonies by adopting a group of around 50 workers from their original colony, a process known as colony fission.

Interestingly, since Matabele ants are obligate termite hunters, a newly mated queen cannot establish a colony on her own, as she requires an existing workforce of worker ants to conduct raids on termite nests. This unique characteristic suggests that new Matabele ant colonies are always formed through colony fission, with the queen and a group of workers splitting off from an established colony.


Healers of the Nest: Medical Practices and Cooperative Care

In the intricate world of Matabele ants, their remarkable behaviours extend beyond their fierce raiding tactics. These remarkable insects have developed an intricate system of medical practices and cooperative care, showcasing a level of compassion rarely observed in the insect kingdom.

Rescue and Rehabilitation of Injured Ants

During battles against termites, some of the ants sustain injuries. The termite soldiers can bite off their extremities or cling to their bodies even after death. Matabele ants have evolved a unique mechanism to mitigate the increased foraging cost. The injured ants release a pheromone from their mandibular gland, consisting of dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide, which acts as an "urgent call for help." This pheromone attracts major ants, who investigate the injured ants, pick them up, and carry them back to the nest.

Once inside the nest, the clinging termites are removed, and the injured ants adapt to their new condition. If they have lost one or two legs, they learn to compensate by adjusting their locomotion to four or five-legged movement, allowing them to reach running speeds similar to healthy ants. This remarkable adaptation enables the injured ants to continue performing colony tasks and even participate in future raids against termites, reducing their mortality rate to nearly zero. If an ant is injured badly, it will get an easy job inside the nest after completely healed.

Antimicrobial Treatments and Wound Care

Observations within the nest have revealed that Matabele ants take wound care to an extraordinary level, making them the first recorded non-human species to consistently treat the wounds of other individuals. When an ant sustains an injury, nestmates grab the damaged limb with their mandibles and hold it in place with their front legs. They then proceed to "lick" the wound for several minutes, a treatment predominantly occurring within the first hour after injury. Without this treatment, the typical mortality rate of injured ants will be higher than 70%.

Wounds often become infected by opportunistic pathogens present in the soil and the infected ants signal their condition through changes in their cuticular hydrocarbon profile, allowing nestmates to recognize infected wounds and provide appropriate treatment.

This second, therapeutic care phase involves the application of secretions from the metapleural gland, which harbours over 100 antimicrobial compounds, similar to human antibiotics, and proteins. These specialized antimicrobial wound care treatments allow the ants to successfully treat infected wounds, enabling the injured ants to recover from their injuries within a week or so.

Conclusion


Matebele Ant Megaponera analis carries dead termite
Matebele ant carries dead termite

The journey into the world of Matabele ants reveals a fascinating dichotomy of ferocity and benevolence within the insect kingdom. From their highly organized and strategic raids on termite nests to their unparalleled acts of wound care and rehabilitation for injured comrades, these ants exemplify the complexities and wonders of nature. Their behaviours offer profound insights into the evolutionary success of social insects, illustrating the importance of both individual and collective adaptability and resilience. As we reflect on the rituals and life cycles of Matabele ants, it becomes clear that their existence not only enriches our understanding of biodiversity but also underscores the significance of each species in maintaining ecological balance.

As enthusiasts of the natural world, the story of Matabele ants beckons us towards a deeper appreciation and curiosity for the intricate lives of insects. Their unique societal structures and behaviours highlight the remarkable adaptability and cooperation that can exist among even the smallest of Earth's inhabitants. For those inspired by the resiliency and intricate social structures of these fascinating creatures, the opportunity to observe and learn from them extends beyond the wild; consider exploring the possibility, of bringing a piece of the entomological world into your own hands. In doing so, we can foster a closer connection to the natural world, gaining further insights and appreciation for its vast, interconnected ecosystems.



FAQs

What role does the Matabele ant play in medicine?

Matabele ants have the ability to identify and treat wounds with the natural antibiotics they produce. This discovery was highlighted in a recent study published in Nature Communications, suggesting that these ants' abilities might inspire the development of new antibiotics for human use.

Are there warrior ants within ant colonies?

Yes, within ant colonies, particularly in army ants, there are designated soldiers. These soldier ants are larger than worker ants and equipped with significantly larger and sharper mandibles. Older soldiers also tend to have larger heads and stronger mandibles compared to younger ones, playing crucial roles in protecting the colony and transporting larger prey.

What is the primary diet of Matabele ants? Matabele ants, found primarily south of the Sahara, exclusively feed on termites. Their hunting missions are perilous due to the aggressive defence mechanisms of termite soldiers, who utilize their powerful mandibles in combat.

Do Matabele ants possess the ability to heal their comrades?

Yes, Matabele ants, scientifically known as Megaponera analis, are known for their unique behaviour of treating the wounds of their comrades who have been injured during battles with termites. This healing behaviour is an exceptional example of social cooperation and care within their species.

How long does the Megaponera analis queen live?

Megaponera analis queen can reach 25mm in length and lives around 2 years.

The workers are extremely polymorphic, from 5mm to 18mm and live from 6 to 14 months. The larger the worker the longer the lifespan.


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