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Fiji ant plant builds tiny condos that stop ant wars

High in Fiji s rainforest, the ant plant Squamellaria grows swollen tubers packed with sealed, single-door apartments. Rival ant species nest in these chambers, fertilizing their host with nutrient-rich waste while never meeting face-to-face. When researchers sliced open the walls, fatal battles erupted, confirming that the plant s compartmentalized architecture prevents war and sustains the partnership. CT scans of the tubers unveiled a meticulously isolated maze, showcasing evolution s clever fix for keeping multiple, unrelated houseguests peacefully productive.

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