The Fiji ant plant, Squamellaria, has long been studied for its remarkable ability to form symbiotic relationships with ants. But what makes this relationship truly unique is the way the plant provides separate “condos” for each ant species, preventing conflicts that could arise from competition for resources. Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and Durham University in the United Kingdom have made a groundbreaking discovery about the secrets behind this harmonious coexistence.

The study, published in Science, reveals that compartmentalization is the key to mitigating conflicts between unrelated symbionts. By creating separate chambers within its tubers, Squamellaria prevents ant colonies from coming into contact with each other, thereby reducing competition for resources and eliminating deadly conflicts.

“We were able to visualize directly what theory has long predicted – that unrelated partners would conflict by competing for host resources,” said Susanne S. Renner, senior author of the study. “But here we also have a simple, highly effective evolutionary strategy to mitigate these conflicts: compartmentalization.”

The researchers used computed-tomography scanning and 3D modeling to visualize the tubers’ internal structure and understand how the plant enables multiple ant species to live together in harmony. They found that removing the partition walls between the chambers resulted in immediate conflict and high worker mortality, emphasizing the importance of compartmentalization.

This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of symbiotic relationships and the ecology and evolution of species interactions. It highlights the remarkable ability of Squamellaria to adapt to its environment and form mutually beneficial relationships with ants, even when faced with conflicting interests.

The study’s findings also shed light on a long-standing problem in ecological theory – how unrelated partners can form long-term mutualistic relationships despite competing for host resources. By providing separate compartments, Squamellaria has evolved an effective solution to this problem, allowing multiple ant species to coexist peacefully and benefiting from each other’s presence.

In conclusion, the tiny condos of Fiji’s ant plant have unlocked a secret to harmonious coexistence among unrelated symbionts, offering new insights into the complex relationships between species.

The research team at City University of Hong Kong has made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the anatomy of blue sharks (Prionace glauca). Led by Dr. Viktoriia Kamska, they have revealed a unique nanostructure in the shark’s skin that produces its iconic blue coloration. This remarkable mechanism lies within the pulp cavities of the tooth-like scales – known as dermal denticles – that armor the shark’s skin.

The secret to the shark’s color lies in the combination of guanine crystals, which act as blue reflectors, and melanin-containing vesicles called melanosomes, which absorb other wavelengths. This collaboration between pigment (melanin) and structured material (guanine platelets of specific thickness and spacing) enhances color saturation.

When these components are packed together, they create a powerful ability to produce and change color. Dr. Kamska explains that the cells containing the crystals can be observed to see how they influence the color of the whole organism. This anatomical breakthrough was made possible using a range of imaging techniques, including fine-scale dissection, optical microscopy, electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and computational simulations.

The discovery also reveals that the shark’s trademark color is potentially mutable through tiny changes in the relative distances between layers of guanine crystals within the denticle pulp cavities. Increasing this space shifts the color into greens and golds. Dr. Kamska and her team have demonstrated that this structural mechanism of color change could be driven by environmental factors such as humidity or water pressure changes.

For example, the deeper a shark swims, the more pressure its skin is subjected to, which should darken the shark’s color to better suit its surroundings. The next step is to see how this mechanism really functions in sharks living in their natural environment.

This research has strong potential for bio-inspired engineering applications. Dr. Kamska notes that structural coloration reduces toxicity and environmental pollution compared to chemical coloration. It could be a tool to improve environmental sustainability within the manufacturing industry, especially in marine environments where dynamic blue camouflage would be useful.

As nanofabrication tools get better, this creates a playground to study how structures lead to new functions. The research has been presented at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Antwerp, Belgium on July 9th, 2025, and is being funded by Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee and General Research Fund.

The latest research from the University of British Columbia has shed light on an intriguing phenomenon – why male guppies have such striking and varied colors and patterns. A team of zoologists, led by Drs. Wouter van der Bijl and Judith Mank, conducted a comprehensive study to investigate this evolutionary mystery.

Their findings, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, reveal that the more orange a male guppy is, the more virile it appears to be. The researchers used a combination of deep learning, genetic studies, and selective breeding to explore this connection. They bred three generations of increasingly orange guppies, observing significant differences in behavior.

What they discovered was striking – the most colorful males were up to two times more sexually active than their less vibrant counterparts. These orange guppies performed for females at a greater rate, for longer periods, and attempted to sneakily copulate more often. This suggests that color plays a crucial role in attracting mates and showcasing genetic fitness.

Interestingly, the researchers found that female guppies have a clear preference for males with unique, orange patterns. However, what’s remarkable is that this color diversity comes from the same cells responsible for forming the brain. This genetic link implies that guppy appearance and behavior are closely tied, with more colorful individuals potentially being healthier and fitter.

The study also uncovered the vast genetic architecture behind guppy coloration. The researchers identified seven orange and eight black color types, which can combine to produce 32,768 unique pattern combinations. This staggering diversity highlights the importance of genetic variation in evolution, allowing species to adapt to changing environments and conditions, such as climate change or disease.

As Dr. van der Bijl notes, “Genetic variation is the raw material that evolution uses to produce resilient, adapted animals and plants.” This research provides valuable insights into the intricate relationships between genetics, behavior, and environment in guppies, and has broader implications for our understanding of evolutionary processes in other species as well.