Post Apik5TPXFrdmy4V7RI by alexwild@mastodon.online
 (DIR) More posts by alexwild@mastodon.online
 (DIR) Post #Apik5TPXFrdmy4V7RI by alexwild@mastodon.online
       2025-01-03T20:36:03Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       In Colombia, some populations of the elongate twig ant Pseudomyrmex gracilis have an orange booty (sorry about the technical jargon); I thought this was a different species when I saw it because I'm used to our Texan ones with black butts. (Minca, Colombia). #ants #insects #pseudomyrmex
       
 (DIR) Post #Apik5Ubyn5BmgxKZTU by alexwild@mastodon.online
       2025-01-03T20:40:54Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Here's one from Texas:
       
 (DIR) Post #Apik6nSYCSm9RAXgWW by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2025-01-03T23:43:48Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @alexwild Warner Brothers looking ant. So cute.
       
 (DIR) Post #ApikMuWfh8ezzF9a8u by magnus@mastodon.world
       2025-01-03T20:57:12Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @alexwild So it’s the same species, but surely a genetic variation? Or can the booty colour depend on something in the environment? Or fashion trends?
       
 (DIR) Post #ApikMvjpBim9kKJbHc by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2025-01-03T23:46:40Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @magnus @alexwild I would love to see a movement to replace "gaster" with "booty" in all scientific papers about ants. It'd add a bit of levity. I suppose I'll have to make do with find/replace for the time being.