Scientists have pinpointed a promising new source of antibiotics from ants no less. Not just any old ant though, but from mushroom farming ants! They are a species that farm fungi in regions of North and South America.
The ants forage for plant material which they bring back to their nests and feed to a fungus. The fungus breaks down the plant material and the ants feed on the fungus. The strategy evolved 15 million years ago. There are now more than 200 ant species that farm fungi.
The nests are sometimes attacked by hostile fungi. They kill off the nest and its farmed fungi. In turn though ants have developed defences revealed as whites patches on their bodies. These patches are made of bacteria which the ant stores on its body. These bacteria have been discovered to produce powerful antibiotic and anti-fungal agents.
Scientists hope to isolate the best of these bacteria for creating new types of antibiotics for humans.
