Rare 'supersoldier' ants created in Canadian lab

[BGSH]

Interesting story

Canadian researchers have discovered how to make a certain kinds of ants develop into "supersoldiers" with huge oblong heads and giant vicious jaws.

The findings are significant because they show there is dormant genetic potential that can be invoked by changes in the environment and locked in place for a very long time, said lead author Ehab Abouheif, a McGill University biology professor, whose research was published Friday in the journal Science.

The authors suggest that hanging on to ancestral developmental toolkits can be an important way for organisms to evolve new physical traits.

"Birds with teeth, snakes with fingers and humans with ape-like hair – these are ancestral traits that pop regularly in nature," Abouheif said. "But for the longest time in evolutionary theory, these ancestral traits were thought to go nowhere … the Barnum and Bailey of evolution. So they've been an unappreciated source of evolutionary variation."

Typically, supersoldier ants are biological anomalies that occur rarely in nature and only in limited geographical regions. But the McGill researchers found these supersoldiers in unexpected regions and also created them by manipulating hormones.

Pheidole (big-headed) ant colonies contain millions of ants, including minor workers and soldiers. Depending on the food ants are fed, certain hormones are triggered in the ant larvae and they either develop into soldiers or minor workers.

Then there are supersoldier ants that block their nest entrance with their extra-large heads and fight with invading ants during army ant raids.

Abouheif and his team unexpectedly found supersoldier ants in the Pheidole species in Long Island where they aren't normally seen. They were then able to artificially induce them in the lab by by dabbing the larvae with juvenile hormone, indicating that environmental cues can switch on the genetic machinery that produces supersoldiers.

"The kind of environmental stressors that evoke this dormant potential are there all the time, so when the need arises natural selection can take hold of the potential and actualize it," said Abouheif.

"So what we're showing is that environmental stress is important for evolution because it can facilitate the development of novel phenotypes. Any time you have a mismatch between the normal environment of the organism and its genetic potential you can release them – and these things can be locked in place for 30 to 65 million years."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/st...ider-ants.html

[Calamity]

Thank God for Raid...the garden variety ants we have here are a pain in the patootie when they start making forays into the house! Hope it works on Uber-ants, too.

[leeaspell]

How do you find this crap? To you just constantly browse news pages?

But the big question is, Who the hell is funding scientist to develope super ants?

There is so much money wasted on stupid crap like this. Couldnt these scientist be better used somewhere else. We can build super ants but we cant cure ......

We have people dying everyday from diseases but scientist are spending their time creating super ants???? No wonder the world is in the shape it is

[Alberta Bigbore]

Originally Posted by leeaspell

We have people dying everyday from diseases but scientist are spending their time creating super ants???? No wonder the world is in the shape it is

Amen !!!

[twofifty]

Originally Posted by BGSH

Interesting story

Canadian researchers have discovered how to make a certain kinds of ants develop into "supersoldiers" with huge oblong heads and giant vicious jaws.

Are these giant vicious jaws the insect world's equivalent to "big bad black rifles"?

[slivers86]

Beeguy is passionate about his little critters, and to be honest, out fishing with him, I've learnt a hell of a lot about the bugs in and around the waterways. Maybe before criticising what he says when you trash talk his area of expertise, afterall, he has the education, you should read what he's contributed elsewhere and learn something, or hit a river with him and learn something about the life you may never see, because you don't look for it


hmmm, the topic has somehow gone to hell... lets argue behind screens about who dad is stronger now... mine has bigger biceps by far...

Cool what they are doing in the lab. Don't know a hell of a lot about ants, but if someone can be exciting about a breakthrough in science, I'm happy to know about it. Thanks BGSH


PS - thats a green pie piece I will WIN in 5 years at trivial pursuit knowing this

[leeaspell]

Im sorry, I dont see an advancment in ant very significant, they have gone thousands of years just fine on their own. Look what happened when "scientist" figured it would "bee" a good idea to breed regular honey bees with african honey bees. Just people inventing stuff that serves no purpose but to justify a pay cheque.

While we are at it, lets turn domestic dogs back to wild dogs and say we discovered that dogs psses genes simaliar to wolves

This is just what dying and starving people in the world are waiting for, super ants.

I stand by me previos comment, these people could be doing something more important for "humanity" then geneticly breeding ants.

the hell with it, lets fund someone to grow a wolley mammoth is a dish and breed them for us to hunt, because you know, its in human genitacs that we were at one time able to hunt them

[rem338win]

Originally Posted by BeeGuy

Maybe familiarize yourself with the research before you start running your uninformed mouth.

What benefit have you been to humanity lately?

Likewise, I would ask you the same. I would describe you as uninformed regarding most of the stuff you run your mouth about, yet your post count is climbing.
No law enforcement or realists to slag today? No social calls to mindless justice to abhor?

[BeeGuy]

Your right, I'm getting pretty tired with people expressing strong opinions about things they literally know nothing about. I won't say this is the Albertan way, but it is the way here for a vocal minority.

You see, as a normal part of the investigative process, scientists use what are considered "case studies" within which to examine specific research questions.

So although I maybe feeding rats sugar, making them fat, ultimately I may be studying diabetes.

In this case, although the researchers have made super soldier ants, they are in fact studying gene expression which could have much more far reaching implications.

So, really, arrogant and condescending? I wont deny that, but it is quite directly a response to arrogant and ignorant.

There's a proverb that goes, "Speak not, that which you know little".

That's why I stick to the fishing forum, and don't discuss the finer points of rifles.

That's also why I keep getting peoples crap on my ankles in some of these general discussions.

[BeeGuy]

Originally Posted by leeaspell

Im sorry, I dont see an advancment in ant very significant, they have gone thousands of years just fine on their own. Look what happened when "scientist" figured it would "bee" a good idea to breed regular honey bees with african honey bees. Just people inventing stuff that serves no purpose but to justify a pay cheque.

While we are at it, lets turn domestic dogs back to wild dogs and say we discovered that dogs psses genes simaliar to wolves

This is just what dying and starving people in the world are waiting for, super ants.

I stand by me previos comment, these people could be doing something more important for "humanity" then geneticly breeding ants.

the hell with it, lets fund someone to grow a wolley mammoth is a dish and breed them for us to hunt, because you know, its in human genitacs that we were at one time able to hunt them

They were not breeding ants.

While were at it, lets lynch the lazy, greedy scientists, stick our heads in the sand and then wait for the rapture.

I got an extra rope and a yard of sand.

[DarkAisling]

Originally Posted by twisted canuck

You know BeeGuy, I've followed a number of your 'replies' lately, and I have to wonder if you have any tone other than 'condescending' and 'arrogant'? You tend to disagree at the drop of a hat, and then look for someone to trash because their posts aren't up to your standards. Maybe go troll elsewhere, or at least try to take a different, more civil tone? You're certainly not contributing much to humanity yourself with that attitude.

I've had the pleasure to meet BeeGuy in person, and he is a great chap. He's friendly, engaging, curious, and interesting. Condescending and arrogant aren't terms that even come close to reflecticing his personality. If those terms reflect anything, it is his writing style: which is no doubt a reflection of what he does in his day-to-day life. Some are more adept than others at "tone" when it comes to written communication. BeeGuy probably writes a very good report, but he probably does not write a very good letter to Grandma.

That said, I'd fish with either of the two of you any day.

[BeeGuy]

Originally Posted by DarkAisling

I've had the pleasure to meet BeeGuy in person, and he is a great chap. He's friendly, engaging, curious, and interesting. Condescending and arrogant aren't terms that even come close to reflecticing his personality. If those terms reflect anything, it is his writing style: which is no doubt a reflection of what he does in his day-to-day life. Some are more adept than others at "tone" when it comes to written communication. BeeGuy probably writes a very good report, but he probably does not write a very good letter to Grandma.

That said, I'd fish with either of the two of you any day.

Haha, you're too kind.

Well, when the sun decides to make a reappearance, lets go slay some fishies.

Funny you mention it, G-Ma is ****ed at me .

[SalmoTrutta]

Originally Posted by leeaspell

How do you find this crap? To you just constantly browse news pages?

It's like he watches the news and .. wow...I could make a post of this

I seen this on the new as well, hardly call it news but yeah WTF are they doing this type of crap with science money for?, breed me some super trout of something

[BeeGuy]

Originally Posted by SalmoTrutta

It's like he watches the news and .. wow...I could make a post of this

I seen this on the new as well, hardly call it news but yeah WTF are they doing this type of crap with science money for?, breed me some super trout of something

I hear there's a couple left in Diefenbaker...

[The cooter]

Okay I find this interesting stuff. We have some educated folks here so I'm going to ask a question. I read some where that with out BEE's the world would end in 7 years. Could there be any truth to this at all? And if so how is it justified?

[SalmoTrutta]

Originally Posted by BeeGuy

I hear there's a couple left in Diefenbaker...

LMAO..don't get me started on those mutant "trout"

[BeeGuy]

Originally Posted by The cooter

Okay I find this interesting stuff. We have some educated folks here so I'm going to ask a question. I read some where that with out BEE's the world would end in 7 years. Could there be any truth to this at all? And if so how is it justified?

answered via PM

[Okotokian]

We in Canada fund research to create "super soldier" ants.

In the U.S. they fund research to create "super soldiers".

That said, I won't knock the ant research. Most of modern genetics knowledge was derived from fruit flies.

[bridger2010]

Interesting post BGSH. And for the science-bashers, who knows what further developments this study may spawn? The next penicillin? Teflon? Viagra?

[The cooter]

Originally Posted by BeeGuy

answered via PM

Thanks.

[Got Juice?]

I wish 'science' would quite FN with this stuff.

Just because you CAN do something, it doesn't mean you SHOULD do something.

Let me see, we tried to cross breed with the African Honey Bee with a European Honey bee and what did we get?

Killer Bees!!! and as a side bonus they also take over and destroy actual honey bee nests and do less pollination to boot.

I am all for science and exploring options, but sometimes the old adage of 'don't fool with mother nature' comes to mind.

[BeeGuy]

Ever come across killer bees?

[Got Juice?]

Originally Posted by BeeGuy

Ever come across killer bees?

Yes actually, both in Texas and in California. They were very well behaved
Why do you ask?

Do they deserve their name? Not really, but if you kill one accidentally, I hear they are less than understanding about it because of a pheromone that they release that kinda 'sticks' to the person.

[BeeGuy]

I ask because "killer bees" aren't a serious problem and were greatly sensationalized by the media.

Killer bees as used in your example are not a good enough reason to stop genetic or other research.

FYI killer bees cannot be distinguished from regular honey bees without laboratory examination, and quite often genetic analysis, so I seriously question your claim.

[Got Juice?]

Originally Posted by BeeGuy

I ask because "killer bees" aren't a serious problem and were greatly sensationalized by the media.

Killer bees as used in your example are not a good enough reason to stop genetic or other research.

FYI killer bees cannot be distinguished from regular honey bees without laboratory examination, and quite often genetic analysis, so I seriously question your claim.

You can seriously question my claim all you want

[greylynx]

Hey Beeguy, why don't you tell us unwashed on the AO forum what you do a normal day.

I guess us stupid people just don't get it.

[BeeGuy]

Originally Posted by greylynx

Hey Beeguy, why don't you tell us unwashed on the AO forum what you do a normal day.

I guess us stupid people just don't get it.

Spent most of today writing a research summary for Parks Canada for our research in Mt Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks.

a couple years ago I set up data collection in 25 national parks as a side project and these 2 parks requested a summary for their internal 5 year research review.

day in the life of beeguy...

[greylynx]

Well, I guess us AO members don't know how important you are.

Please just remember it is us overtaxed AO members that have to pay for your living.

To insult the AO members, and insinuate they are ignorant is not very nice.

[just_dave]

Learning to turn on the "supersoldier" ant gene at a specific time helps researchers to find a way to turn certain genes in us, on and off, that cause cancer and other types of diseases. If we can control cell growth by switching a gene on, we can control unregulated cell growth by turning it off.

[Iron Brew]

We have a huge problem in Canada of not funding research. When we do fund research, people find a way to criticise it. As was mentioned, the research is really about genetics and gene study, not "how do we make a super duper thingamajig". We need to study using live somethings, and I'd imagine people would be pretty upset if we studied using kids... What would people say if the research showed that "hey, we can trigger suppressed genes", and we find out someday "hey - we have a gene that fights cancer - how do we turn it on?" This is obviously over simplified, but... the summary in a nutshell.

As for the government not funding research, those who feel it isn't necessary, look at what happens now with the industry funding the approvals etc. We have professors who refuse to endorse something getting into major trouble cause they found problems and... well, golly... the money comes from industry, and if you say something they will cut our budgets, so fire or silence the professor... We have drugs getting approved basically on the say so of the companies doing the research... we don't even have the people to properly evaluate all data submitted. People forget companies are there to make money, not look out for our better interests. Canada is falling behind in the research department.