Ants, which are foreign to central Kenya and brought here by humans, are causing elephants to eat tree leaves. As a result, the effectiveness of lion hunting suffers: They are often deprived of cover from which to attack their prey. This has been shown by a study published in the journal. Science.
Acacia trees in central Kenya are protected from leaf-eating animals by special ants that nest in the plant’s bulbous spines. These insects fiercely defend their homes against giant herbivores, including elephants and giraffes. But they have competitors: big-headed ants (Pheidole Megacephala). They came to Kenya about 15 years ago. Moreover, big-headed ants are rapidly taking over different parts of the world, thanks to the movements of humans and large herbivores.
Big-headed ants destroy insect colonies that protect acacia trees. Trees that have lost their protection are destroyed by elephants. As a result, lions, ambush predators that use acacia trees to track their prey, became less effective at catching zebras and began to turn their attention to buffalo. However, these animals are larger and often live in large groups, making them more dangerous prey.
Scientists say the changes they discovered highlight the impact a small insect species can have on an ecosystem.
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