In a study published today in the journal Science, a team of scientists reports that a tiny and seemingly innocuous invasive ant species is changing tree cover in an East African wildlife area, making it harder for lions, the world's most iconic predator, to hunt its preferred prey, zebra. The study, which spans research over three decades, comprised a combination of hidden camera traps, collared lions tracked by satellites and statistical modeling. It illustrates the complex web of interactions among ants, trees, elephants, lions, zebras and buffaloes. It illustrates the complex web of interactions among ants, trees, elephants, lions, zebras and buffaloes.

In the latest study, however, scientists say the arrival of an invasive insect known as the "big-headed" ant (Pheidole megacephala) is setting off a chain of events that has resulted in a shift in predator-prey behavior that may further jeopardize populations of lions -- a species already on the brink of endangerment. The big-headed ants are small but voracious hunters of insects, destroying colonies of the tree-protecting ants but not defending the trees from the larger animals. These tiny invasive ants showed up maybe 15 years ago, and none of us noticed because they aren't aggressive toward big critters, including people. We now see they are transforming landscapes in very subtle ways but with devastating effects.

These ants are everywhere, especially in the tropics and subtropics. You can find them in your backyard in Florida, and it's people who are moving them around, They are working with land managers to investigate interventions, including temporarily fencing out large herbivores, to minimize the impact of ant invaders on tree populations. As science continues to move toward highly advanced technologies like AI-powered data collection, Palmer said their group's persistent focus on Kenyan wildlife has involved traditional methods over several decades, showing the staying power of boots-on-the-ground research.