Ecosystems

Ancient gardeners: leafcutter ants Millions of years ago, leafcutter ants learned to grow fungi. Now, they form one of the most complex and intriguing insect societies of all. But how do they live? And what impact do their enormous nests have on the forest - and people - around them?
The giant millipede Lemurs in Madagascar and capuchin monkeys in Venezuela have been observed using powerful defensive secretions from giant millipedes to control insect pests and even send themselves on a drug-induced 'high'.	Poison jewels: the dart frogs Poison dart frogs - some of which produce toxins powerful enought to kill 150 adult humans - are used by tribal people to catch food. Recently, scientists have used these toxins to produce a painkiller 200 times more effective than morpine.	The world's greatest lily The most enormous waterlily in the world, the giant Amazon lily grows leaves over 2.5m (8') across. Its 30cm (12") flowers have some of the most extraordinary habits found in the whole plant kingdom.

Ancient gardeners: leafcutter ants