Columbia University biologist Rob Dunn has discovered a unique species of ant living between 63rd and 76th streets along Broadway on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Dubbed the "ManhattAnt", the ants have a higher concentration of carbon in their bodies, indicative of a high corn-syrup diet, likely from eating trash and discarded street food.
Biologists stumbled upon a new species of ant in the Broadway medians at 63rd and 76th streets […] The ant looks like it hails from Europe, but so far the scientists have not been able to match it with any of the approximately 13,000 species of known ant. “It’s new to North America, and we believe it’s new to the entire world,” biologist Rob Dunn, whose team discovered the insect, told the Post. The ant doesn’t have a scientific name yet, but it’s fondly nicknamed the “ManhattAnt.”
via Smithsonian
Matt Coneybeare
Editor in Chief
Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.
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