66-million-year-old ants practiced agriculture after dinosaur extinction, cultivating fungi for food.

A study in the journal Science reveals that ants began practicing agriculture 66 million years ago, following an asteroid impact that caused the extinction of dinosaurs. This event created favorable conditions for fungi, which ants began to cultivate as a food source. Over time, ants refined their farming techniques, particularly around 27 million years ago. The research provides insights into the evolutionary partnership between ants and fungi, predating human agriculture significantly.

October 03, 2024
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