Scientists “edited” the genome of the ants

Stripped of the sense of smell

After the creation of genetically modified ants deprived of their smell, the researchers observed the anti-social behavior of insects: they have strayed from their colonies, stole food, refused to mate and lay eggs, which is contrary to the mentality of the “collective hive mind” of most communities of ants.

Usually ant uses recruitment pheromones to convey everything – from the location nearby of food before the period of mating. With no these important signals, they become “lost souls”.

A study conducted by researchers from new York University and supported by the Medical Institute of Howard Hughes – part of a wider project studying how ant colonies organise and carry out complicated tasks. The full study will be published August 10 in the scientific journal Cell.

The ant species Harpegnathos saltator, worked with the researchers, have a peculiar feature, which makes them ideal for laboratory experiments.

Unlike most species where the Queen is chosen by one ant at birth, every female of H. saltator can be Queen, and what happens when the current Queen is isolated from the colony. This democratic process of the coronation of the best researchers as having many newly elected Queens, they can quickly establish large populations suitable for research.

Once formed a new colony, the scientists used a technique for genome editing to cut out just one gene, crucial for working olfactory receptors.

Loss of this gene, the ants were completely deprived of the sense of smell, and then passed this trait on to future generations. Observations have allowed researchers to finally confirm the long-held belief in a way of communication ant communities: their sense of smell is an integral part of everyday life and supports a wide range of behavior.

See also: Scientists have discovered an unknown species of ants in the stomach of a frog

Although the understanding of the role of smell in ants is important, the researchers hope that their work can be used as a model for future research, allowing to observe the consequences of small changes in complex social dynamics, and not only in ants but also in other animals, including higher mammals.

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