How ants started growing fungi after the dinosaurs
Ants have been cultivating fungi for 66 million years, a practice that began shortly after the asteroid impact that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. This catastrophic event created conditions conducive to the rapid growth of fungi, which thrived on the abundant dead plant material. As these fungi flourished, innovative ant species began to cultivate them, leading to a complex evolutionary partnership that has continued through the ages. Recent research has provided new insights into how this relationship has developed and evolved over time.
Research findings from the Smithsonian
In one study published on October 3, 2024 in the journal Science, a team of scientists from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, led by entomologist Dr. Ted Schultz, genetic data from hundreds of ant and fungus species. This extensive study allowed the researchers to reconstruct an evolutionary timeline that identifies when ants first started growing fungi. They examined a dataset containing 475 species of fungi, of which 288 are cultivated by ants, in addition to 276 species of ants, of which 208 practice fungal cultivation. This extensive data set is the largest ever collected for fungus-farming ants.
Evolution of ant breeding techniques
The findings indicate that ants and fungi have been linked for 66 million years, which coincides with the period of the asteroid impact at the end of the Cretaceous period. Although the impact had devastating consequences for many organisms, it was beneficial for fungi, which thrived in the rotting leaf litter. This interaction laid the foundation for a sustainable agricultural relationship.
The research also found that it took almost 40 million years for ants to develop advanced agricultural techniques. About 27 million years ago, a cool climate caused ants to grow fungi in drier habitats, isolating them from their wild ancestors. This significant change in environment resulted in ants feeding on these fungi domestically, similar to how humans domesticated crops.
Lessons from ant farming
Through this research, the long-term agricultural success of ants highlights an evolutionary journey that continues to provide valuable lessons in adaptability and survival.
