Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Speculative biology is simultaneously a science and form of art in which one speculates on the possibilities of life and evolution. What could the world look like if dinosaurs had never gone extinct? What could alien lifeforms look like? What kinds of plants and animals might exist in the far future? These questions and more are tackled by speculative biologists, and the Speculative Evolution welcomes all relevant ideas, inquiries, and world-building projects alike. With a member base comprising users from across the world, our community is the largest and longest-running place of gathering for speculative biologists on the web.

While unregistered users are able to browse the forum on a basic level, registering an account provides additional forum access not visible to guests as well as the ability to join in discussions and contribute yourself! Registration is free and instantaneous.

Join our community today!

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Flying Ants; Could worker ants re-evolve flight?
Topic Started: Oct 22 2010, 11:47 PM (2,904 Views)
Spugpow Oct 22 2010, 11:47 PM Post #1
Member Avatar
Prime Specimen
* * * * * * *
I don't know how widely known this is, but apparently there are some ants that, upon falling off a branch, are able to glide back to their tree.

Here's a link to a website with more info and videos of ants gliding: http://www.canopyants.com/glide_intro.html

The question is, could the ants take this further, re-evolving the flight they lost so long ago?



Secondary question: how did insect flight evolve anyway? I've heard some vague mumblings about paranotal lobes and larval gills, but it's still kind of a mystery to me.
Attached to this post:
Attachments: Gliderant1.jpg (139.1 KB)
Attachments: Gliderant2.jpg (142 KB)
My deviantart page: http://amnioticoef.deviantart.com/
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Kamidio Oct 23 2010, 12:15 AM Post #2
Member Avatar
The Game Master of the SSU:NC
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Many ant "kings"(the only males) have wings, so they still have flight.
SSU:NC - Finding a new home.
Posted Image
Quotes
WAA
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
colddigger Oct 23 2010, 12:30 AM Post #3
Member Avatar
Joke's over! Love, Parasky
* * * * * * * * * * *
we already have flying ants, they're called wasps. :P

Flying ants eh? I figure that it's simple enough, just have them all develop wings rather than just the queens and drones, and retain those wings.
Oh Fine.

Oh hi you! Why don't you go check out the finery that is SGP??

v Don't click v
Spoiler: click to toggle

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Spugpow Oct 23 2010, 12:33 AM Post #4
Member Avatar
Prime Specimen
* * * * * * *
Yeah, that's what I was thinking, but if it was really so simple, why wouldn't the worker ants have developed wings already? I think they're constrained by having to squeeze through tight tunnels, which means that harder, chitinous flying appendages might be more effective.

Hmm...apparently many of the ants (several groups have independently evolved gliding behavior) actually glide backwards...that could make for an interesting mode of flight.
My deviantart page: http://amnioticoef.deviantart.com/
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Pando Oct 23 2010, 12:52 AM Post #5
Member Avatar
Obey or I'll send you to the moon
* * * * * * * * * *
Yeah, the tunnel thing seems like a good theory on why no drones have wings.

Maybe if they got bee-like nests the drones would finally fly.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Spugpow Oct 23 2010, 01:15 AM Post #6
Member Avatar
Prime Specimen
* * * * * * *
But I doubt they'd get bee-like nests, unless they started gathering pollen from flowers. They might make wood-pulp nests, but that seems like a long shot considering they're so much more protected burrowing into wood.
My deviantart page: http://amnioticoef.deviantart.com/
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ook Oct 23 2010, 05:50 AM Post #7
Member Avatar
not a Transhuman
* * * * * * * *
there are species with nests from same material as wasps,but i doubt there will be flying ants,they´re por flyers and there is no need for flying
Posted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lamna Oct 23 2010, 07:30 AM Post #8
Member Avatar


 Maybe there could be a flying caste that did nout but ferry workers about.
Living Fossils

Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural

34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur.
T.Neo
 
Are nipples or genitals necessary, lamna?
[flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash]
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dragon wasp Oct 23 2010, 09:48 AM Post #9
Member Avatar
Prime Specimen
* * * * * * *
don't carpenter ants fly?


oh and also, did you draw those pictures above?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Spugpow Oct 23 2010, 12:52 PM Post #10
Member Avatar
Prime Specimen
* * * * * * *
"there are species with nests from same material as wasps,but i doubt there will be flying ants,they´re por flyers and there is no need for flying"

Any adaptation that allows the ants to return to their trees faster will be advantageous.

"there are species with nests from same material as wasps"

Really? Which ones?

"Maybe there could be a flying caste that did nout but ferry workers about."

Like in the Future is Wild? I like the idea, but I'm not sure how efficient it would be, seeing as the colony would have to produce twice as many members.

Maybe some ants could evolve leathery forewings to protect their hindwings while crawling through the nest. "Beetle ants".

"don't carpenter ants fly?"

The workers don't. Of course, all ants have winged forms that go out of the nest to breed.

"oh and also, did you draw those pictures above?"

Yes.
My deviantart page: http://amnioticoef.deviantart.com/
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dragon wasp Oct 23 2010, 01:21 PM Post #11
Member Avatar
Prime Specimen
* * * * * * *
you are good at drawing
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Spugpow Oct 23 2010, 01:27 PM Post #12
Member Avatar
Prime Specimen
* * * * * * *
Thanks :D
My deviantart page: http://amnioticoef.deviantart.com/
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ook Oct 23 2010, 01:38 PM Post #13
Member Avatar
not a Transhuman
* * * * * * * *
there is MANY species,but from ant keeping hobby i remember lasius fuliginosus

Posted Image

polyrhachis-almost all species create this type of nests
Posted Image
Posted Image
crematogaster
Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image


i must mention also oecophylla,they have nests from leaves
Posted Image
Posted Image

maybe it sound arrogant,but i think i know much more about ants than anyone other on this forum,i kept them and stutyed them for several years


Dragonwasp
if we dont count breeding cast,all species are flightless,even the most primitive species have completely flightless drones,and all ants are very bad flyers
Edited by Ook, Oct 23 2010, 01:39 PM.
Posted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Spugpow Oct 23 2010, 01:42 PM Post #14
Member Avatar
Prime Specimen
* * * * * * *
Wow, very cool, and thanks for the pictures! I can totally see some those nest building ants re-developing wings.

I think the gliding ants are mostly wood borers though.
My deviantart page: http://amnioticoef.deviantart.com/
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ook Oct 23 2010, 02:19 PM Post #15
Member Avatar
not a Transhuman
* * * * * * * *
indeed,but ths niche already occupy plenty of other Hymenopterans,like wasps and close relatives(there is really big diversity of flying eusocial insects which live in great hives)
Posted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Evolutionary Continuum · Next Topic »
Add Reply