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Ants picky over choice of home
ant
Some ants are so picky that even the equivalent of a mansion will not do.

Ants have different 'standards', study reveals

Ants have different 'standards' when it comes to finding a new home, according to research by the University of Bristol.

The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, found that while some ants are happy to slum it out in anything with a roof, others are so picky that even the equivalent of a mansion will not do.

Scientists know that ants use a 'quorum' to make decisions. This is where a certain number of ants 'vote' for any one option before the colony as a whole makes a choice. However, what is not known is how the opinions of individual ants affect this.

Now, using mathematical modelling, researchers from Bristol's Schools of Engineering Mathematics and Biological Sciences have demonstrated that the answer may lie in the varying 'pickiness' of ants in a colony.

Their modelling revealed this distribution of individual 'standards' across the colony makes for a robust, but effective, method of nest choice.

When this was simulated, the results were strikingly similar to the behaviour of real ants. This suggests that, in insects often known for their uniformity, individuality may hold the key to their success.

 

 

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.