If you needed any more proof New York City breeds freaks and
mutants, it’s here. Gothamist is reporting the City may have
created its very own specie of ant. (by Alissa Fleck) A Columbia
professor decided, earlier this year, to investigate the
wildlife outside his 63rd and Broadway building rather than go
on a tropical reconnaissance mission (budget cuts?), when he
made a shocking discovery. The ant specie he found on the front
sidewalk was new to North America, and likely the entire world,
reports Gothamist. The jury’s still out on whether he’s
disappointed about forgoing a tropical vacation to study city
ants. As of now, the new species remains unnamed, though the NY
Post has lovingly dubbed it the “ManhattAnt.” Thirteen different
species of ant already live in the City, but Gothamist reports
it’s possible this species evolved to live in warmer, drier
habitats. It’s also possible it literally “jumped ship” from
another continent. The professor who made the discovery is
studying the diets of urban ants (urba