Ant agriculture has been revealed to have started a staggering 66 million years ago, according to a recent study. Researchers have suggested that colonies of ants began cultivating fungi following an asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. The aftermath of this catastrophic event created ideal conditions for fungi to thrive, despite causing global mass extinction.
Fungi, which encompass a diverse group of organisms including yeasts, mildews, moulds, and mushrooms, saw a significant boost in their population in the aftermath of the asteroid impact. This surge in fungi growth provided an opportunity for ants to start practicing agriculture and farming the organisms, a practice they have been engaged in for a longer period than humans have existed, as per Dr. Ted Schultz, curator of ants at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in the USA.
The study, which was published in the journal Science, highlighted how the extinction event led to a period where the atmosphere was filled with dust and debris, blocking out the sun and hindering photosynthesis for years. This resulted in the demise of about half of all plant species on Earth. However, it was a favourable time for fungi, which thrived by consuming the abundant dead plant material on the ground.
As the fungi flourished, many ant species came into close contact with them, leading to the insects harnessing the fungi as a food source. Over time, ants developed a symbiotic relationship with the fungi, relying on them for sustenance as life rebounded following the extinction event.
The research also uncovered that it took around 40 million years for ants to advance their agricultural practices further. They began taking fungi from wet forests to drier areas, leading to isolated fungi becoming dependent on ants for survival in arid conditions. This process resembled how humans domesticated crops, with ants essentially domesticating these fungi.
Among the ants observed to practice the most advanced agricultural strategy are leafcutter ants. These ants collect fresh vegetation to feed their fungi, which then grow food for the ants. Dr. Schultz, who has dedicated 35 years to studying the evolutionary relationship between ants and fungi, and his team have collected genetic samples from thousands of ants and fungi throughout the tropics to understand this intricate relationship.
The study revealed that ants and fungi have been intertwined for 66 million years, marking the time when the asteroid struck Earth at the end of the Cretaceous period. This long-standing relationship sheds light on the resilience and adaptability of ants as agricultural beings, showcasing their ability to thrive in varying environmental conditions over millions of years.