Ants in Parabiosis

Parabiosis is the cooperation between two species that is a mutually beneficial relationship, and in this case, sharing a common home where they both gain. One is a massive black ant and the other is a tiny brown ant. But together they form a perfect team to build, guard and keep a healthy shared nest. Found in the forests on the Ivory Coast, the two unrelated ant species form a union comprised of a 15 mm long nest builder and a 2.5 mm meal maker. The larger ant, a Platythyrea conradti will eat all ants except its roommate the Strumigenys mayne. The reddish tiny ant actually nests in separate small chambers close to the big ants. Both species produce unique odour signals in the nest yet they are not aggressive to one another. The large ant will take on large enemies while the small Strumigenys ants efficiently attacks and deters smaller enemies. Other ant species are known to form similar relationships, but the relationship is not to the advantage of both ants, as it is here.

http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-ants-in-parabiosis-1.10067541

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