How to Discover a New Species of Ant | featuring Dr. Brian Fisher

How do you discover a new species of ant? Today we sit down with Dr. Brian Fisher, ant taxonomist and myrmecologist from the California Academy of Sciences to learn about discovering and curating the world's ants. We also finally give an update on our trap-jaw queen ant that we were hoping would lay eggs and give us a colony! Big thank you to Dr. Brian Fisher and his team of researchers for taking the time to share their knowledge and work with us!

A brand new video is uploaded on this channel every Saturday at 8AM EST (with frequent bonus videos) so be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the channel to catch every ant video we release! Thank you for the support.

List of Ant Equipment Used in this video:

"The Fire Nation" Solenopsis geminata Colony:

•Rubbermaid bin

"The Dark Knights" Paratrechina longicornis 3 queen polygynous colony:

"The Golden Empire" Anoplolepis gracilipes 3 queen polygynous colony:

•75 Gallon Planted Tank

[shilohmoon]

I'm so excited that iNaturalist app was mentioned I love that app so much. I have 143 observations stacked on it. From flocks of European Starlings to Bloodworms and even Green Tree Frogs to hard of sight armadillo and freshly hatched cicada drying on my hand. I honestly love all animals(yes insects count as animals) I can't even bring myself to dislike roaches and spiders

[AntsCanada]

Thanks so much guys for watching another episode on the AC Channel! Do you guys like watching these periodic science chats? They may not be the usual "ants devouring things" or "ant moving into new homes", but they contain a lot of valuable info that I would not be able to present on my own. Let me know what you guys think and please give the video a THUMBS UP if you like it! #antloveforever!

[MartyBeardFace]

As said by Adam Savage, " the difference between screwing around and science is writing it down". This message is so important for our future! Ant love forever!!!

[vedleirda]

Aww that's sad.... Well 3 weeks ago i got an injured Trapjaw queen.... IN MY ROOM! I pretty much didn't know what to do because it seems like She's dying.... she still got her wings and i didn't even know if it was fertile... But, instead i just simply left her in a test tube setup. A few days later, Thankfully she recovered.. and the better news, SHE LAYED EGGS!! I was so happy although i couldn't confirm her fertility yet...
Though, just a few days ago i finally can confirm her fertility!! Out of 8 eggs she layed over the past weeks, 2 had developed to a larvae! And she shed all her wings!! I'm so happy! I see potential on raising my own exotic ant species! 😀😀 Though, im not that experienced to ant keeping.... Yet. To say at least.. So, instead of just sharing with you guys, I would love to see replies and suggestions... More, if Antscanada actually reply to this, It will help alot... Thanks...
Ant Love Forever 🐜

[cinnastyle]

He's so passionate and genuine, I love him.

[AntsCanada]

ATTENTION NORTH AMERICAN ANT KEEPERS! Prenolepis imapris (North America wide), Veromessor (in California), and Solenopsis invicta (Southern USA) are now flying. Good luck catching those queen ants!

[Visuwyg]

"We have only discovered 50% of all ant species" - I always wonder how scientists come up with these estimates - how can you know how much there is if you haven't yet discovered it?

[lsdcat]

I love how much time and effort you put into your editing. not a lot of people do it and it's just a treat just to see how really passionate you are about spreading ant love. great video, as always. keep it up!!!

[Brodaty]

Leeeet meeee sleeep.
Just found this channel and watched everything back to 1-year-ago.

[ramesesortiz]

my dad used to tell me story's about that when he lived in Mexico as a kid after a huge rain storm giant ants used to rain from the sky.... of course I didn't really believe him but last year we were on our way to a beach in Mexico and there was this huge rain storm and we stayed in a hotel for the night next morning there were huge ants the size of quarters with wings are those the Queen's in their nuptial flight or no?

[jzmistymorning]

He's like the Bob Ross of ants lol

[thevillageidiot]

"But we do have some good news, " Leans into computer, "next week" MOTHER FU-

[sonderdonder]

hello AC
I'm from the philippines and I have 4 ant colonies
a longhorn crazy ant, black trapjaw ant, camponotus gigas and a pirate ant(cardiocondyla pirata)
☺☺

[Raptorworld]

As someone who suffers from myrmecophobia, your videos are very important and helpful to the world.

Thank you.

[Triairius]

I love Dr. Fisher's enthusiasm and undeniable passion for ants. This channel has already made me more thoughtful of ants, but I think I'm going to make an effort to pay more attention to them around me.

[quaes]

Ants Canada should get their own show.

[Moon-Archive]

I once saw a red glowing ant and it hissed at me
Edit: holy! This got popular...wait a second....how did I spell hissed...as hist....wow past jazzy. Wow.

[operationcrazy]

I dont even like ants and im subscribed to this channel...

[Xavierixs]

And three years later, he found a new species of ants....

[allemik]

I don't know why but I hate ants in general but when I come on this channel I think they are one of the most interesting insects ever to exist