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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 15th June 2015
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Ants picky over choice of home
ant
Some ants are so picky that even the equivalent of a mansion will not do.

Ants have different 'standards', study reveals

Ants have different 'standards' when it comes to finding a new home, according to research by the University of Bristol.

The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, found that while some ants are happy to slum it out in anything with a roof, others are so picky that even the equivalent of a mansion will not do.

Scientists know that ants use a 'quorum' to make decisions. This is where a certain number of ants 'vote' for any one option before the colony as a whole makes a choice. However, what is not known is how the opinions of individual ants affect this.

Now, using mathematical modelling, researchers from Bristol's Schools of Engineering Mathematics and Biological Sciences have demonstrated that the answer may lie in the varying 'pickiness' of ants in a colony.

Their modelling revealed this distribution of individual 'standards' across the colony makes for a robust, but effective, method of nest choice.

When this was simulated, the results were strikingly similar to the behaviour of real ants. This suggests that, in insects often known for their uniformity, individuality may hold the key to their success.

 

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.