When a lion decides to chase down a zebra it seems as though nothing can stop it. But now researchers have discovered these enormous predators are being thwarted by a tiny foe: ants.
Researchers have discovered that the emergence of big-headed ants in east Africa triggers a scenario where lions decrease their number of zebra kills.
According to Prof Todd Palmer from the University of Florida, who worked on the study, the results were unexpected. He expressed, “I was taken aback.” The decrease in kills seems to be linked to the disruption of an important partnership between indigenous ants and their tree habitats, resulting in a decrease in hiding spots for lions.
Palmer emphasized the significance of species interactions through the recent discovery. He stated, “While conservation is typically discussed in terms of individual species, it is actually the interconnected relationships that serve as the foundation for the entire ecosystem.”
The acacia ants defend the whistling-thorn trees by attacking and stinging elephants who are searching for food. In exchange, they receive nourishing nectar and a place to live. However, the big-headed ants, a species that has invaded the area, do not provide this same level of protection. Instead, they take over the trees by eliminating the adult acacia ants and consuming their eggs and young.
According to Palmer and colleagues in the journal Science, in areas where they have been invaded, elephants are known to browse and damage trees at a rate that is five to seven times higher than in areas that have not been invaded.
In order to examine the broader effects on the environment, Palmer and his team initially observed several areas in Laikipia, Kenya, some of which had elephants present and others where they were absent.
The research team discovered that the presence of big-headed ants and elephants resulted in a decrease in tree coverage and a significant rise in visibility.
The scientists constructed a computer simulation using real-life observations to investigate the potential impact of big-headed ants on zebra behavior, including their movements, kill sites, and the movements of lions.
The researchers discovered that zebra kills were nearly tripled in areas with low visibility and no big-headed ants, compared to areas with high visibility and the presence of big-headed ants. However, after analyzing the data, they determined that zebra density and lion activity were not the cause, indicating that the decrease in kills could be due to the increased visibility of lions to their prey.
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According to Palmer, lions require cover in order to effectively stalk and ambush their prey. When there is a lack of trees to hide behind, they become more vulnerable and struggle with successfully hunting down zebras.
The researchers have reported that the current lion populations seem to be steady, which may be linked to their shift from predominantly preying on zebras to hunting buffaloes. However, Palmer expressed concern over the inability to prevent the spread of the large-headed ants.
The speaker explained that if the invasion persists, there will be a larger depletion of acacia trees. This could have a significant impact on the ecosystem as these trees are a crucial source of food for various animals, such as rhinos and giraffes. The resulting changes in the landscape could greatly alter the overall ecology of the region.
Source: theguardian.com
