Nocturnal Bull Ants Use Polarized Moonlight for Navigation

Nocturnal Bull Ants Use Polarized Moonlight for Navigation

Sub : Env

Sec: Species in news

Why in News

• Scientists at Macquarie University, Sydney, have discovered that two nocturnal bull ant species—Myrmecia pyriformis and Myrmecia midas—use polarized moonlight to navigate at night. This is only the second instance of an animal being found to use polarized moonlight for orientation, after the dung beetle.

Role of Polarized Light in Animal Navigation:

• Many nocturnal animals, including insects such as ants and bees, use the moon’s position to navigate.
• However, changing lunar phases and environmental obstructions often make direct moon tracking difficult.
• The study found that nocturnal bull ants rely on polarized moonlight, even when the moonlight is significantly dim.

Polarization:

• Polarization refers to the orientation of oscillations in transverse waves, perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
• In simple words, Light polarization means that light waves are vibrating in only one direction, like a rope shaking up and down in a single plane, instead of wiggling in all directions at once.
• Natural Light: Emitted unpolarized; oscillations occur in multiple planes.
• Polarized Light: Achieved through filters or scattering; oscillations confined to a single plane.
• Applications:
  • Optics: Polarizing filters in photography reduce glare.
  • Communication: Polarization used in antenna design to minimize signal interference.
  • Navigation: Some animals detect polarized light patterns for orientation.
• Both sunlight and moonlight are unpolarized when emitted.
• As light passes through Earth’s atmosphere, it scatters and becomes polarized.
• Polarization refers to the orientation of the electric field of light waves.
• The scattered light forms distinctive patterns, known as e-vector patterns, which animals use for navigation.
• Myrmecia pyriformis and Myrmecia midas were already known to use polarized sunlight for navigation.
• However, sunlight fades at dusk, necessitating an alternative navigation method at night.
• This study establishes that these ants continue navigation using polarized moonlight, similar to the dung beetle.
• Honeybees and desert ants are known to use solar cues along with environmental landmarks.

About Ants:

• Over 12,000 known species worldwide.
• Live in colonies with roles divided among queens, workers, and males. Inhabit various environments, including forests, deserts, and urban areas.
• Use pheromones to leave scent trails for navigation and coordination.
• Can lift objects up to 50 times their body weight.
• Worker ants live for several months; queens can live for years.
• Omnivorous; consume nectar, seeds, fungi, and other insects.
• Act as decomposers, soil aerators, and predators of pests.
• Nocturnal Bull Ants: Primarily found in Australia, favouring forests and woodlands.
• Forage at night; known for aggressive nature and potent sting.
• Utilize polarized moonlight patterns for nocturnal orientation. Possess large compound eyes adapted for low-light conditions.