Category : Wildlife | Location : International | Posted on 2022-09-23 01:49:35
There are 20 quadrillion or 20,000 trillion ants in the world, which weigh more than all wild birds and mammals combined, stated a new study.
The estimate is two to 20 times higher than earlier ones, according to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 19, 2022.
The total biomass of this species is about 12 million tonnes, while the combined biomass of wild mammals and birds is two million tonnes and seven million tonnes, respectively. It roughly accounts to 20 per cent of human biomass. Biomass is the total weight of carbon in all individuals.
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong and the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg in Germany examined numerous ant-related studies. They compiled them into a database to determine the number of ants in all ant-inhabited continents and significant biomes.
“According to our estimates, the global ant population is 20 quadrillion. That is a 20 with 15 zeros, which is hard to grasp and appreciate,” said Patrick Schultheiss, a lead author of the study, in a press release.
Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-at-least-20-000-000-000-000-000-85073
