A Different Take on Ants|蚂蚁面面观

by Brian Foden

Ants aren't just annoying pests that try to steal food at picnics.

It's common to see ants carrying things. Whether they are tiny granules of sugar, bits of plants, or even pieces of dead insects, we've all seen ants at work. Witnessing hordes of these insects methodically transporting such material may gross us out, but this behavior can be especially _(1)_ to the environment. Scientists believe that ants are in fact responsible for some of the biodiversity seen in plant life around the world. This is _(2)_ true in parts of Australia and South Africa.

In two recent studies, researchers gave compelling evidence that seed-carrying ants have helped contribute _(3)_ the diversity in South Africa's Western Cape. In a process known as myrmecochory (蚁媒传播现象), certain species of ants _(4)_ disperse seeds because they are attracted to the fleshy substances surrounding them. The tiny creatures take the seeds to their nests, devour the substance around them, and then _(5)_ them unharmed. By doing so, the insects assist parent plants by making sure the seeds don't compete _(6)_ them in the same area. The insects also provide protection to the seeds by taking them away from potential _(7)_. In addition, the ants may carry the seeds to more fertile areas, which _(8)_ better germination. Furthermore, researchers have concluded that myrmecochory may result in the doubling of plant _(9)_ in particular areas. The next time you feel like squashing some ants because they make you feel _(10)_, remember that they play a big role in ensuring the diversity of plant life around the world.

(A) discard (B) predators   (C) beneficial  (D) to  (E) effectively

(F) particularly    (G) diversification (H) uncomfortable   (I) with   (J) ensures

蚂蚁面面观

蚂蚁不单单是野餐时盗取食物的恼人害虫。

我们随处可见蚂蚁在搬东搬西。不论是极小的糖粒、植物碎片，甚至是一块块昆虫尸体，我们都曾见过忙碌中的蚂蚁。目睹这群昆虫有条不紊地搬运材料可能令我们作呕，不过这类行为对于生态环境来说却是格外有益的。科学家认为，蚂蚁实际上造就了世界各地的生物多样性。这一点在澳洲和南非部份地区尤其如此。

最近两份研究中，研究人员提出有力证据，说明搬运种子的蚂蚁对于南非西开普省的生物多样性有所贡献。在所谓『蚁媒传播现象』的过程中，某些特定种类的蚂蚁会有效地散播种子，因为那些蚂蚁会被包覆在种子外层的肉质所吸引。这些小生物把种子带回巢穴，狼吞虎咽地吃光种子周围的果肉，随后抛弃完好无缺的种子。藉由此举，昆虫能因确保种子不在同区与植物母体竞争，因而有助母体发展。牠们同时也会将种子带离潜在掠食者，使其受到保护。此外，蚂蚁也可能将种子带到更肥沃的地区，确保其有较好的发芽机会。而且，研究人员已推断『蚁媒传播现象』可能在特定区域中已造成双倍的植物多样化。下次若是蚂蚁让你感到不舒服，因而想把牠们压扁时，记住，牠们在确保世界各地植物多样性中扮演很重要的角色。

蚂蚁和其他许多昆虫一样，是靠触角来辨识气味，并用分泌物的气味来进行交流。一只蚂蚁如果发现了食物，牠就会在回家的路上留下气味，其他蚂蚁就会沿着这条路线去找食物，并不断地加强气味。如果这里的食物被采集完了，没有蚂蚁再来，气味就会逐渐消散。如果一只蚂蚁被碾碎，就会散发出强烈的气味，立即引起其他蚂蚁警惕，都处于攻击状态。有的蚂蚁种类还会散发一种迷惑敌人的气味。

蚂蚁亦是全世界力气最大的昆虫之一，牠的负重能力相当惊人，能背负本身重量 52 倍的物品，甚至能拖动比牠体重还重 1400倍的东西。（数据源：维基百科）

答案：  1.  C   2.  F   3.  D   4.  E   5.  A

   6.  I  7.  B   8.  J   9.  G   10. H