May 19, 2016
A study of Australian endemic
nocturnal bull ants has found that they rely upon visual cues to stabilise
their heads when navigating uneven ground.
The Macquarie University study,
in collaboration with researchers from Australian National University, found
that nocturnal bull ants stabilise their head using visual information. The
ability to stabilise their head deteriorates as it gets dark. The study has
taken the first steps towards identifying how insects acquire visual
information in low light.
"We know that ants memorise
visual scenes to navigate to specific places, such as their nest or a food
source," said researcher Ajay Narendra.
"To compare a previously
memorised view to the current one, they need to have a stable visual system.
Imagine how distorted the view would appear when the head is rolled as they
walk over a round twig or leaf!
"We wanted to see whether
nocturnal ants employ compensatory head movements when their body rolls, and to
what extent this ability is affected as light levels fall."
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