Scientists discover "cleaner ants" that groom giant ants in Arizona desert
by t-3 on 4/15/2026, 7:46:16 PM
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260414075641.htm
Comments
by: awakeasleep
why haven't any animals adapted to this role for humans!
4/18/2026, 6:31:14 PM
by: awinter-py
this is no surprise to anyone who has read dougal dixon's 'man after man'
4/18/2026, 5:50:25 PM
by: LeCompteSftware
This is very cool, and quite surprising. Cleaner fish are thought to be among the most intelligent fish because of the complexity and danger of their feeding strategy: it takes careful planning and quick thinking. But they aren't tied to any particular species of host or general tactic; naively I imagine cleaner fish are more versatile and adaptable than cone ants.<p>It would be interesting to learn if this occurs with other species of ants. I suppose until now nobody thought to look.
4/18/2026, 5:05:08 PM