The pattern of ant faces may have practical value.

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss a study conducted during the COVID-19 quarantine period, where a team of researchers examined thousands of images of ant faces. The researchers discovered that the pattern of ant faces may have practical value and numerous benefits. We will talk about this study and review the findings reached by the researchers.

Ant Face Patterns

The patterns of ant faces vary greatly; some have wrinkles and lines resembling fingerprints, while others have reticular patterns similar to “cracks in clay.” Entomologists have used over 150 terms to describe these different patterns. These patterns have intrigued researchers and made them wonder if they have practical value for ants rather than being mere random occurrences.

Benefits of Ant Face Patterns

A study conducted by the researchers indicates that the different patterns in ant faces may provide practical benefits. For example, the crinkled and elevated patterns can offer additional protection for ants living in soil from erosion. The wrinkles in the faces of these ants are so close together that grains of sand cannot slip between them. The researchers classified the different patterns of ant faces and drew an evolutionary tree for ant species, discovering that the different patterns have appeared and disappeared multiple times over time. This led the researchers to question whether these patterns provide benefits to ants rather than being mere random evolution.

The Impact of Different Patterns on Different Species

However, it should be noted that similar patterns may not lead to the same benefits in different species. For instance, anti-abrasion wrinkles resembling fingerprints may appear in desert ants living in sand, but they also occur in trap-jaw ants that do not push their faces into the sand. Nonetheless, the trap jaw can snap shut with great force, allowing the ant to fly away to escape danger. The curved lines on the faces of these ants may help distribute pressure when the jaw snaps closed. However, these ideas need further testing to confirm their validity.

Using Ant Face Patterns in Design

The researchers collaborated with fabric designer Meredith West Owens to transform parts of ant face images into colorful, multi-hued fabrics. West Owens colored small parts of the images and stacked them together to form a repetitive and cohesive design. It took “a lot of math,” according to West Owens. Pillows inspired by ants that carry these decorative patterns, along with a shirt featuring an ant face, are available for sale online and will help raise some funds for the Pennick Lab.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say that the study of ant face patterns may have practical value and numerous benefits. These patterns may provide additional protection for ants from erosion and influence pressure distribution when the jaw is clamped. However, these benefits require further testing and experiments to confirm their validity. Additionally, ant face patterns can be utilized in design to produce colorful and decorative fabrics.

Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ant-face-patterns-practical-value