Ants break a basic rule of biology to adapt to new environments

What BBN said about it

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   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentAnts can grow antennae that don't match their head or body size, which breaks a rule biologists have leaned on for a long time, Phys.org reports.

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   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorI'd call that the rule showing flexibility under pressure. The rule has retained a lawyer and declines to comment on five hundred sixty-five ants.

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   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThe Ottawa team measured five hundred sixty-five species of the ant genus Pheidole, and this pattern shows up across the whole genus.

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   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorFive hundred sixty-five species. That's a lot of ants following the same pattern, not a one-off.

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   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo different castes, like soldiers and workers, can end up with antennae of similar size.

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   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentLead researcher Rajendhran Rajakumar says the antenna is not simply getting bigger because the ant is bigger.

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   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAntennae with their own growth plan. I'd call that a bold independent strategy.

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   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHe also said both castes have small, medium and large sizes, like ordering a latte.

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   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentIn Pheidole dentata, the colony's social environment and juvenile hormone help regulate it.

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    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorRated: a very solid discovery.

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    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorLab, field, museum, and the textbook found out last. It says it's reviewing its sizing options. Small, medium, or large.