A new study shows that ants started growing mushrooms about 66 million years ago, after a meteorite hit the Earth. This cooperation between ants and fungi is an interesting example of agriculture in the animal world.
According to the scientific news department of Techna Technology Media, ants, as one of the advanced species of animals, have developed the ability to farm millions of years ago. This is despite the fact that humans started farming only a few thousand years ago. A new study shows that ants started growing mushrooms after a meteorite hit Earth and wiped out many species. The conditions created after this encounter were very suitable for the growth of mushrooms, and the ants began to grow mushrooms using different strategies.
Ants use four different methods to grow mushrooms. One of the most advanced methods is leaf farming, which is done by leaf-mining ants. These ants collect the leaves and use them as food for their fungi. Mushrooms, in turn, produce food for ants. This discovery shows that ants turned to agriculture much earlier than humans. It can also inspire us humans and help us develop more sustainable farming methods. To see the latest news, refer to the scientific news page of Tekna Media.
RCO NEWS