The Life of a Dead Ant: The Expression of an Adaptive Extended Phenotype
@article{Andersen2009TheLO, title={The Life of a Dead Ant: The Expression of an Adaptive Extended Phenotype}, author={S. Andersen and S. Gerritsma and K. M. Yusah and D. Mayntz and N. Hywel-Jones and J. Billen and J. Boomsma and D. Hughes}, journal={The American Naturalist}, year={2009}, volume={174}, pages={424 - 433} }
Specialized parasites are expected to express complex adaptations to their hosts. [...] Key Result Dead ants were found under leaves, attached by their mandibles, on the northern side of saplings approximately 25 cm above the soil, where temperature and humidity conditions were optimal for fungal growth. Experimental relocation confirmed that parasite fitness was lower outside this manipulative zone. Host resources were rapidly colonized and further secured by extensive internal structuring.Expand Abstract
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