Swimming evolved several times in treetop ants

At least 10 ant species can rescue themselves after falling from the forest canopy

KEEP CALM, SWIM ON  Although terrestrial, the tropical ant Pachycondyla villosa will rescue itself from an accidental splashdown by moving deftly through the water, dodging or climbing over floating debris as it heads toward shore. Such swimming ability has evolved multiple times among treetop ants.

S. Yanoviak

View the video

In the tropics, some ants living high in trees can swim well if an accident — or a scientist — drops them into water.