Researchers have now used DNA analysis to uncover just how long ants have been farming fungi, now described in a study published Thursday in the journal Science. To trace the evolution of this relationship between ants and fungi, Schultz and his colleagues built complex family trees. Using the DNA from 475 species of fungi, including 288 species known to be cultivated by ants, the researchers pieced together how all these organisms are related. The study team did the same thing for 276 species of ants, including 208 species of fungus farmers. Ants began farming fungi 66 million years ago after an asteroid hit Earth, according to a new study.

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Persons: ”, Ted R, Schultz, Ant, Atta, Karolyn Darrow, what’s, There’s, ” Schultz, Corrie Moreau, “, Moreau, We’re, they’ve, Kate Golembiewski Organizations: CNN, Disney, Smithsonian National Museum of, Cornell University Locations: Washington ,, Chicxulub, Mexico, New York, what’s, Chicago