Matabele Ants: The Healing Abilities of Nature’s Tiny Warriors
In the vast sub-Saharan region of Africa, where the Matabele tribe once roamed, a remarkable species of ants known as Matabele ants, or Megaponera, have captured the attention of scientists. These precision hunters are not only skilled in their pursuit of termites, their primary food source, but they also possess a unique ability to heal their wounded comrades. This discovery has sparked interest among researchers, who believe that studying these ants could hold significant implications for human medicine.
The Matabele ants often sustain injuries while hunting termites, as these tiny insects put up a fierce fight, inflicting serious damage on their attackers. However, the ants have developed a sophisticated system for detecting and treating infected wounds. They produce antimicrobial substances that they apply to the injuries of their fellow ants, resulting in an impressive 90 percent cure rate. Erik Frank, a scientist from the University of Würzburg Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, states, “We can learn a lot from these tiny creatures.”
The research conducted by Frank and his colleagues focused on ants infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that is both virulent and often drug-resistant. This microbe is commonly found in ant injuries and was responsible for cases of blindness and death in humans due to tainted eyedrops. The insights gained from studying the behavior of these ants could prove invaluable in combating drug-resistant bacteria, which pose a growing threat to human health.
Nature has long been a source of inspiration for medical breakthroughs. Many of our most effective antibiotics and anti-parasitic agents were initially discovered in natural sources. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, explains that observing antimicrobial substances from natural products is a promising route for discovering new anti-infectives. For example, streptomycin and ivermectin, two widely used medications, were isolated from soil, while bacteriophages, harmless viruses that kill bacteria, were found in various natural environments.
The Matabele ants produce a complex substance consisting of 100 chemical compounds and 41 proteins when treating infected wounds. This multifaceted approach acts as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, making it potentially useful in our own medical system. Frank believes that some of these compounds could have significant applications in human medicine. One particular protein found in the ants’ secretions stands out as the most abundant and may hold the key to treating infected wounds effectively.
The hunting behavior of the Matabele ants is a sight to behold. Named after the Matabele tribe, these ants employ military-like precision in their hunts. A scout locates the termites and returns to the nest to recruit up to 800 ant soldiers. They march in a column formation, following the scout’s lead, and then gather together to launch a coordinated attack. While only a small number of ants are injured during each hunt, the cumulative effect can be substantial, considering that these ants can go on hunts up to five times a day. This means that a single colony could have as many as 1,000 injured ants in a month.
The ants possess a unique chemical profile on their cuticles that allows them to recognize one another. Similar to a uniform with identifying medals, this chemical profile signals the condition of an injury and enables the ants to determine if an ant is hurt or fighting an infection. The antimicrobial materials used by the ants are extracted from a gland located on the side of their thorax. To apply these secretions to a wound, an ant reaches into the gland pocket with its front legs, collects the secretion on its “hands,” and then licks it off to accumulate it in its mouth. Once enough secretions are gathered, the ant begins licking the wound.
Robert T. Schooley, an infectious diseases specialist and phage expert, emphasizes the power of evolution demonstrated by the Matabele ants. He states that societies succeed when they protect their most vulnerable members. While the compounds produced by the ants are currently applied topically, further research may lead to the development of antimicrobials useful in human and veterinary medicine. However, the potential toxicities of systemic administration remain unclear.
The researchers involved in this study are eager to collect more samples for further analysis. Unfortunately, the initial fieldwork site in northern Ivory Coast is now under a terrorism threat, making it challenging to continue their research. However, Frank is determined to find a workaround, enlisting the help of locals to collect ants and send them to Germany for study.
The Matabele ants’ remarkable healing abilities have shed light on the fascinating world of wound care in the animal kingdom. Frank and his team are expanding their research to include army ants in Costa Rica, European ant species, and even other social insects like bees. They are also investigating how chimpanzees use insects to treat their wounds. The study of wound care in animals
