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[Digital focus stacking] Acanthognathus brevicornis is a morphologically exotic and relatively rare ant. The long and oddly shaped mandibles are characteristic for this group of ants. They feed on springtails and other small, soft-bodied arthropods. The ant on the picture is holding its mandibles in closed position. When prey is detected the mandibles open to 180° or more and are locked in that position. The ant approaches the prey and snaps the mandibles together in an extremely fast strike. During this strike the long spines at the distal end of the mandibles impale the prey. Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil Picture was taken in cooperation with the "Staatl. Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe".

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08-11-28_143336_M=B_R=6_S=3ps2.jpg
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Solvin Zankl
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Ant Portrait | Ameisen Porträt
[Digital focus stacking] Acanthognathus brevicornis is a morphologically exotic and relatively rare ant. The long and oddly shaped mandibles are characteristic for this group of ants. They feed on springtails and other small, soft-bodied arthropods. The ant on the picture is holding its mandibles in closed position. When prey is detected the mandibles open to 180° or more and are locked in that position. The ant approaches the prey and snaps the mandibles together in an extremely fast strike. During this strike the long spines at the distal end of the mandibles impale the prey. Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil  Picture was taken in cooperation with the "Staatl. Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe".