Ant – Anatomy

There is a continuous size distribution among worker ants, typically ranging from 4.0 to 7.5 mm in length, making it challenging to categorize them solely by size. Head width also varies significantly, from 0.94 to 2.1 mm. Ants are distinct from other insects due to their unique morphology, which includes elbowed antennae, metapleural glands, and a pronounced constriction in the second abdominal segment that forms a node-like petiole. Their bodies are covered by a hard armor called an exoskeleton. An ant's abdomen houses its heart, digestive system, and chemical defense mechanisms. The mandibles are an ant’s most important tools, used for gathering food, excavating soil, and capturing or dismembering prey. The nervous system consists of a ventral nerve cord that runs along the length of the body, with multiple ganglia and branches that extend into the extremities of the appendages.