Page 99 - The Miracle in the Ant

are also "forms of food" (Food the plant produces specifically for ants to
be gathered and eaten). The only function of "food forms" is again just
feeding the ants. They have no apparent benefit for the plant. 65
In short, domatias are very special structures that are formed so that
the ants may maintain their lives. Their temperature and humidity are
ideally balanced to suit the ants’ requirements. Ants live comfortably in
these special places prepared just for them, almost as men do in quali-
ty hotels.
It is not possible to claim that these structures materialize by luck,
that they produce food for ants by coincidence and that they take on
need-based forms.
Ant-plant relationships are just one of the proofs of the incredible
equilibrium created by a sole Creator on this earth. Furthermore, this re-
lationship is mutual. The services ants provide against the services of the
plants are very important factors in the plants of the world being so ef-
ficient. Ants enrich the earth in carbon by cultivating it, adding nutrition
to it by their waste and excretion, and keeping the ambient temperature
and humidity at an appropriate level. Therefore, plant species near ant
nests are better off than those in other areas.

Ant Plant and Nitrogen Source Ant
An ant species (Philidris) and its host plant (Dischidia major) pro-
duce a very complex set of chemicals all throughout their lives.
This plant has no roots that go underground. Therefore, it winds
along other plants to get support. It has a very interesting method for in-
creasing its carbon and nitrogen gain.
Ants have a storage area in this plant where they raise their young
and hide organic residues (dead ants, insect pieces, etc.) called "ant
leaf". The plant uses these residues as a source of nitrogen. Also, the in-
terior surfaces of the leaf spaces absorb the carbon dioxide given out by
the ant, thus reducing dehydration from the pores. 66 Prevention of de-
hydration is very important for these ant plants that grow in tropical cli-
mates, because they can never reach the water in the soil, since they
have no roots. Thus, ants provide for two important needs of the plant
in return for its providing shelter for them.

Harun Yahya 99