February 27, 2003
All in the Family

It looks like some anthill communities may not be all that good of a role model after all!

??This nepotistic behavior indicates that ant workers are able not only to detect kin relationships, but also to pursue their selfish genetic interests if the costs to their colony are not prohibitive,? said researcher Liselotte Sundstrom.

I suppose that “costs are not prohibitive” bit is what really separates people from ants — both are greedy, but the ants know when to stop!

Posted by Jason Lefkowitz at February 27, 2003
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Ant's Eye View is edited by Jason Lefkowitz, a consultant and Web developer in Alexandria, Virginia. Got a question, comment, or concern? Let me hear it!

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