Coming out ahead

One often sees the internecine aftermath of ant warfare in the field, one species seemingly welded onto another like some dysfunctional appendage. Given that ants are unable perform autotomy - voluntary limb loss like harvestmen, a dead hitchhiker which permanently reduces its fitness could spell the end. Fortunately for the ant, the colony provides the answer. By beseeching its nest-mates, this gliding ant (Cephalotes atratus) is able to indicate that it is in discomfort. Neighbouring ants, while grooming, tug and pull at the smaller ant's carcass, whose mandibles are locked around its foe. Sometimes these cleaning nest-mates can do no more than sheer the body down to a more manageable size so that the encumbered ant can remain useful to the colony just a little longer.

Photo from Sani Lodge Principal, Ecuador.

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EE Legend

-Health injury/stress levels (scale 1-10-->☠️)

👣-Translocation

⏳-time in captivity

📷 -in situ

-studio

🎨 -Use of cloning or extensive post processing

↺ -Image rotation

🎼 -Playback

Done