You say you want an evolution, well-ell you know. Sorry for that, but just got in from a long, unplanned walk, yes, the horses went a tad bit farther than ever. Must fix fence. On the plus side I did meet a couple of interesting people.
"Attine ants, which include the leaf-cutting ant at left, cultivate a fungal garden (pictured) for nourishment and shelter. The ants and their fungi live under siege from a parasitic fungus called Escovopsis. But the ants carry antibiotic-producing bacteria that kill the threatening fungus.
According to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a particular tribe of ants, known as attine ants, have pockets throughout their thick, outer armor crammed full of antibiotic-producing bacteria. They use these bacteria to kill off a parasitic fungus that could destroy their way of being.
And according to Cameron Currie, a UW bacteriologist, the ants, the bacteria they cultivate and the fungus they fear have been in a stalemate for millions of years. This prompts the question: How come the fungus has not evolved to resist this particular strain of bacteria? This question could trigger insights into the battle against antibiotic-resistant strains of disease."
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