Brief piece in Science section of today's NY Times. Abstracts recent article in Nature reporting research ou of UC Davis. A particular species of ant - one of several - which inhabits galls on a form of acacia tre in Africa routinely prunes branches which get too close to other trees so as to avoid invasion by ant colonies of more aggressive species in neighboring trees. They do not bother to prune sides not facing other trees.

So, can you see the tribesmen sitting under the Acacia? "Gee I wonder what causes Summer Limb Drop on these Acacia trees, doesn't seem to happen to the baobab trees."

Reply to post by Scott Cullen, on October 12, 1999 at 14:43:55:

I always thought that buzzing was cicadas. Now you're telling us it's tiny chainsaws?

Reply to post by Russ Carlson, on October 12, 1999 at 14:43:55:

Do they subscribe to ANSI Standards?

Reply to post by Ed Milhous, on October 12, 1999 at 23:26:31:

No, they follow ANTSY guidelines. You can see them in the lawn.

Reply to post by Russ Carlson, on October 20, 1999 at 21:53:04:

Boy, bigtime trademark infringement action against ANSI if the ANTSY folks find out they've used a sound alike name.