Story
How Ants Map Social Identity
Key takeaway
Ants can adapt their social identity over time, suggesting how group membership flexibly evolves based on repeated interactions, not just genetics.
Quick Explainer
New research shows that ants can update their social identity through repeated exposure, adopting the chemical scent of their foster colony, while still retaining an innate recognition of their genetic kin. This flexibility allows ants to integrate outsiders into the colony.