The Ancient Farmers: Coevolution of Fungus-Ant Agriculture Unveiled

SciFocus/Oct 7, 2024 -- Long before humans cultivated crops, ants were already mastering the art of agriculture, farming fungi to survive and thrive. In a groundbreaking study, Schulz et al. have traced the evolutionary history of fungus-farming ants, uncovering how these industrious insects began their agricultural journey 66 million years ago—right after the cataclysmic asteroid event that ended the Cretaceous period. This symbiotic relationship, which intensified 27 million years ago, has shaped one of nature’s most complex partnerships.

"Ants have been practicing agriculture for much longer than humans have existed," says Ted Schultz, lead author of the study. "Their success over millions of years offers us fascinating insights into sustainable farming systems."

Key Highlights:

- ?? Origin Story: Fungus-ant farming began 66 million years ago, shortly after the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs.

- ?? Fungal Proliferation: The global mass extinction led to ideal conditions for fungi to thrive, becoming a critical food source for ants.

- ?? Domestication: 27 million years ago, ants domesticated fungi in drier habitats, marking a key evolution toward what we now call "higher agriculture."

- ?? Leafcutter Pioneers: Leafcutter ants practice advanced agriculture, cultivating fungi using fresh vegetation, which in turn feeds their colonies.

- ?? Evolutionary Insights: The study mapped genetic data from 475 fungi and 276 ant species, offering the largest dataset of fungus-farming ants ever assembled.

The coevolution of ants and fungi is a testament to nature's resilience and ingenuity. As ants harnessed fungi in the aftermath of a mass extinction, they evolved a mutualistic farming system that predates human agriculture by millions of years. This intricate partnership, now illuminated by cutting-edge genetic research, continues to thrive and offers valuable lessons in sustainability and adaptation.

Read more in Science: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adn7179?s=03

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