Short Wave When Tiny, Invasive Ants Go Marching In...And Alter An Ecosystem
Jan 26, 2024
In a wildlife haven in Kenya, tiny invasive big-headed ants have wreaked havoc on the ecosystem. By eliminating native ants, they've left acacia trees defenseless, leading to a dramatic decline as elephants trample them. This shift has upended the food web, altering how lions and other animals hunt. The discussion also ventures into ancient diets, revealing fascinating insights from Stone Age chewing gum, and teases the upcoming spectacle of cicadas emerging after years underground.
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Ant Invasion Impacts Ecosystem
- Big-headed ants invaded a Kenyan wildlife preserve, disrupting the ecosystem.
- Elephants, no longer deterred by native ants, destroyed acacia trees, impacting lions' hunting strategies.
Stone Age Chewing Gum
- Researchers analyzed ancient chewing gum from Scandinavia to learn about Stone Age diets.
- The gum revealed that teenagers ate hazelnuts, trout, and deer, with one teen suffering from severe gum disease.
Cicada Emergence
- Two rare cicada broods will emerge simultaneously in the Midwest and Atlantic states this spring.
- This event, described as a "macabre Mardi Gras," last occurred in 1803.