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Pheidole dentata, a native of the southeastern U.S., isn't immortal. But scientists have found that it doesn't seem to show any signs of aging. Old worker ants can take care of infants, forage and attack prey just as well as the youngsters, and their brains appear just as sharp. "We really get a picture that these ants-throughout much of the lifespan that we measured, which is probably longer than the lifespan under natural conditions-really don't decline," says Ysabel Giraldo, who studied the ants for her doctoral thesis at Boston University.

New research shows butterflies use nectar to drug unsuspecting ants with mind-altering chemicals. The Japanese oakblue butterfly (Narathura japonica) enlists the help of ants (Pristomyrmex punctatus) to stand guard and protect its growing caterpillars (pictured) from predators such as wasps and spiders.

In a mountain meadow in Colorado, ecologists have come across yet another example of the amazing interconnectedness of nature's flora and fauna. Black bears, by eating ants, help one of the meadow's key plant species thrive.

DNA to Darwin allows 16-19 year-old school students to explore the molecular evidence for evolution through practical bioinformatics activities that use data analysis tools and molecular data. Each of the activities on this web site centres around an engaging story from recent research in molecular genetics encompassing microbiology, plant and animal biology and human evolution.