In this episode, we explore the fascinating relationships between ants and plants. From ants that live inside hollow thorns, defending their host in exchange for shelter, to plants that produce special food rewards to attract their tiny bodyguards—discover the incredible world of mutualism. Learn how some plants have evolved specific structures like domatia and extrafloral nectaries just for their ant partners, and how ants, in return, protect their green hosts from hungry herbivores. Some ant-plant relationships are so tight that neither can survive without the other!

** This episode was dubbed from Portuguese to English using the Eleven Labs artificial intelligence tool **

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CREDITS

Script: Maria Eduarda Lima Vieira and Carolina Rodrigues dos Santos

Guest Researchers: Inácio Teles and Flávio Camarota

Automatic Dubbing: ElevenLabs (funded by PPG-PSE-USP PROEX funding)

Editing: Carolina Rodrigues dos Santos

Soundtrack: Radiadora Sonorização

Visual Identity: Maria Eduarda Lima Vieira