When you think of speed in regards to animals, you usually think of mammals like rabbits and cheetahs, right? But according to a recent study, the insect kingdom has offered up a contender to the speed throne. Not through limb movement, mind you, but mouth movement.
Mystrium camillae, commonly known as the Dracula ant, has set a new scientific record for speed thanks to its mighty mandibles. According to a new peer-review journal, the Dracula ant can snap its mandibles open or closed at a speed of 200 miles per hour. This is accomplished via a biological spring-loading mechanism in which the ant presses the tips of its mandibles together before unleashing them, not unlike a human snapping their fingers. When the ant is hunting prey, this quick snap serves as a stunning attack that incapacitates the target.
Researchers used a series of high-speed cameras and X-ray imaging to carefully monitor the ant in action. Frederick J. Larabee, a researcher on the project, noted that “scientists have described many different spring-loading mechanisms in ants, but no one knew the relative speed of each of these mechanisms.” Interesting what one uncovers from idle curiosity, huh?
The team will continue their research into Dracula ants to see how these lightning-fast jaws factor into hunting and nest care.
