Up at dawn to travel to the various scientific sites, the five Aussies, two English, two Spaniards accompanied by two guides made some unexpected discoveries. Read more later but first the Attini Tribe. Senor Tim and his four senioritas were fascinated by the discovery of the Attini Tribe, confined to Central and South America, existing in the millions, in the undergrowth of the Amazon basin. Have you worked it out yet? The tribe in question is the Leaf Cutter Ants, the most advanced of all social insects. What else of such a tiny proportion would amuse us for such length ? Not the sloths or the armadillos or tapiers....but the hard working ants.
According to research being conducted at the Explorers Inn, this type of ant can strip a tree in 2 or 3 days but not kill it. They transport the leaf to their nest where it is used for mulch when mixed with ant poo and saliva it becomes good bedding for a type of mushroom that the ants eat...the true circle of life? (
Explorers Inn newsletter Aug/Sept 2008)
1 comment:
Buonas de ass - amigoes 5! I am enjoying reading of your treks and seeing the pics. Those amazing little attini tribes - can you bring home a few so they can help me clear out a few cupboards and drawers for a spring clean - how cool are the macaws with their beautiful colours!! Look forward to the updates. Adi os (love my spanish huh) Cheers Annie & Sarah "C" x x
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