Post AzmhyQUAM7Gw4NCjPk by futurebird@sauropods.win
(DIR) More posts by futurebird@sauropods.win
(DIR) Post #Azm4TSIveBzOWMBnmK by futurebird@sauropods.win
2025-10-31T16:57:09Z
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Learning about Basiceros tumucumaquensis, a cryptic “dirt ant” of South America:“virtually nothing is known about this ant”Great.“but we did collect two near a Brazil nut tree and watched them for three days” (paraphrasing)“They didn’t do much, then they died”Great.“when disturbed may enter thanatosis”Oh neat! I wonder what “thanatosis” means? It sounds very exciting! Did they bite? Sting? Something worse?“a state of involuntary paralysis triggered by fear”Great 😆
(DIR) Post #Azm4afZMj5jjgmJjxQ by pmonks@sfba.social
2025-10-31T16:58:22Z
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@futurebird So the “fainting goat” of ants? 🤔
(DIR) Post #Azm4bROitxkE1fhv28 by smellsofbikes@mastodon.social
2025-10-31T16:58:25Z
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@futurebird gonna put this on my resume, thanatosis expert.
(DIR) Post #Azm4eP99jAcbufq5JY by futurebird@sauropods.win
2025-10-31T16:59:08Z
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I will protect all dirt ants with my life. Iove them.
(DIR) Post #Azm4ihGoHqnTHRSxAu by TheOtterDragon@eldritch.cafe
2025-10-31T16:59:52Z
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@futurebird Oh no 😿
(DIR) Post #Azm4m3VC5LtP6HnNTM by lemgandi@mastodon.social
2025-10-31T17:00:12Z
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@futurebird Ants are So Khoul!!!We've had this conversation before I thinks.
(DIR) Post #Azm53oSmjpA1fe8V4i by rk@mastodon.well.com
2025-10-31T17:03:41Z
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@futurebird > “They didn’t do much, then they died”> “when disturbed may enter [a state of involuntarily paralysis triggered by fear]”Holy shit these ants are me.
(DIR) Post #Azm5993NbyVsyhnNvk by futurebird@sauropods.win
2025-10-31T17:04:41Z
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I like to think these ants fooled the researchers into thinking they were dead and once dumped in the trash they shook themselves off (but not too much, they are dirt ants after all) and scurried off to live their mysterious lives.
(DIR) Post #Azm5HGFUk84tbwKf9E by davep@infosec.exchange
2025-10-31T17:06:03Z
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@futurebird Sounds like those poor goats that fall over paralysed when stressed.
(DIR) Post #Azm6Wny1lGw2U58bRI by snosrapkungfu@mastodon.social
2025-10-31T17:16:27Z
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@futurebird wouldn't it have behooved these researchers to observe-in-place? What exactly did anyone expect two ants to "do" with no Queen/mound/food source?
(DIR) Post #Azm6WpCx9GT6Kf82LI by futurebird@sauropods.win
2025-10-31T17:20:08Z
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@snosrapkungfu They gave them some leaf litter and soil from their home and hoped to offer them food to find out what they ate. But instead they learned these ants do not respond well to being collected. So the next person who sees them in the wild can hopefully take the time to watch them and find out what they eat and where they live. This is not yet recorded in the scientific literature and it’s worth asking the locals, but these are VERY cryptic ants.
(DIR) Post #Azm6yj7nMKHJZe1LUG by snosrapkungfu@mastodon.social
2025-10-31T17:25:09Z
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@futurebird ok without some of the paraphrasing now that makes a bit more sense, TIL, thank you. I'm now somewhat invested, but sounds like it might be years before we collectively know more..
(DIR) Post #Azm8xzaOs1u0FMB636 by Tattie@eldritch.cafe
2025-10-31T17:47:26Z
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@futurebird sounds like they were... incognisant of the complexities, here.@snosrapkungfu
(DIR) Post #AzmG6f4TDIIIuEK8jw by futurebird@sauropods.win
2025-10-31T19:07:27Z
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I suppose I ought to explain about the “dirt ants” a dirt ant sounds like an ant that digs in dirt (which would be most ants) however, this title refers to ants that collect a layer of dirt on their integument. They have specialized hairs on their exoskeleton that allow them to acquire a layer of dirt, mycelium and small plant matter. This creates an excellent disguise.
(DIR) Post #AzmhyQUAM7Gw4NCjPk by futurebird@sauropods.win
2025-11-01T00:19:44Z
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The dirt ants have been at this for a long long time. https://phys.org/news/2025-04-caribbean-dirt-ant-million-year.html
(DIR) Post #AzmjFOyFLCS2FSvt2G by aprilfollies@mastodon.online
2025-11-01T00:33:59Z
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@futurebird If I ever find an ant in amber, I’m sending it directly to you. I assume you’ll take utmost care of it. 😁
(DIR) Post #AzmlBqOJeN462dYdqi by futurebird@sauropods.win
2025-11-01T00:55:45Z
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@vivtek The First Law of Antkeeping:If there is a container with ants in it and you open it ants will come out of it. The Second Law of Antkeeping:If there is a place for ants (most places count) ants will show up.
(DIR) Post #AzmlfXy6i4aJalSijQ by tkinias@hcommons.social
2025-11-01T01:01:05Z
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@futurebird now that’s one that I’ve never been called
(DIR) Post #Azn18sPbHNMahrlWCW by jayalane@mastodon.online
2025-11-01T01:38:54Z
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@aprilfollies @futurebird same for sure. I already want to tag her on all the entomological posts here I see.
(DIR) Post #Azn18tkCKHQwq2PTwe by futurebird@sauropods.win
2025-11-01T03:54:30Z
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@jayalane @aprilfollies 🥰