Nov 27, 2020 15:00:00

Insects with 'biomineral armor' are discovered

Ants are fairly organized organisms and are known as highly social insects. Sometimes

cause a large-scale war Ali, known also by, but in the new study, Hakiriari is 'has created his own biological mineral had been announced that you are wearing the armor.' This is the first example of an organism wearing mineral-hardened body armor in the insect world.

Biomineral armor in leaf-cutter ants | Nature Communications
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19566-3

These Ants Suit Up in a Protective'Biomineral Armor' Never Seen Before in Insects
https://www.sciencealert.com/these-leaf-cutter-ants-are-the-first-known-insects-to-coat-their-bodies-in-biomineral-armour

A new species of leafcutter ant, known as the 'Acromyrmex echinatior,' is divided into four classes, each with a specific role, and maintains a herd of millions of companions by growing special fungi and 'agriculture.' To do. Living in large herds also increases the risk of pathogens, but Acromyrmex echinatior is equipped with 'biomineral armor' to prepare for such threats and 'fights' against foreign enemies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Announced by the research team.

Acromyrmex echinatior is shown in the picture below.

'We've been studying leaf-cutting ants for years, especially the relationship between leaf-cutting ants and the bacteria that produce antibiotics,' said Cameron Curry, a microbiologist who conducted the research. This discovery, 'covered with biomineral crystals,' was born while investigating the relationship between fungi and ants.

When the research team deeply observed the mineral layer covering the exoskeleton of the ant by microscopic examination and

electron backscatter diffraction, it was found that the coating was made of magnesium calcite crystals of about 3 to 5 micrometers. ..

The research team bred leaf-cutting ants to investigate when and how such structures occur. Researchers have found that baby ants do not have a coating, but as the ants grow, the coating develops rapidly and hardens the exoskeleton significantly. In addition, when researchers experimentally placed leaf-cutting ants in a 'battle' environment, leaf-cutting ants with biomineral armor were able to improve their survival rate with less injuries in battle. Researchers also said that leaf-cutting ants without armor are susceptible to pathogens such as metarhizium .

On the other hand, researchers believe that ants developed mineral armor for purposes other than gaining such protection. In addition, researchers believe that there are many insects with magnesium crystal armor other than Acromyrmex echinatior, and it is possible to develop light and strong materials by continuing research, so this is the future. He expressed the view that it is a promising research field.