'Jumping genes' helped ants in their evolutionary triumph after the extinction of the dinosaurs

Written and edited by the WorldPing NewsdeskPublished Updated Original reporting: Phys.org
'Jumping genes' helped ants in their evolutionary triumph after the extinction of the dinosaursWorldPing
Image via Phys.org.

What happened

About 66 million years ago, the asteroid that ended the age of the dinosaurs paved the way for a spectacular expansion of new animal species.

During this period, ants rose to ecological dominance.

Key facts

  • About 66 million years ago, the asteroid that ended the age of the dinosaurs paved the way for a spectacular expansion of new animal species.
  • Reported by Phys.org and published Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:40:15 UTC.

Why it matters

Research findings and mission results set the evidence base that policy, funding and later discoveries build on.

What to watch next

  • Peer review status and replication of the findings
  • Mission milestones and next scheduled attempt
  • Funding or policy decisions that follow

Coverage timeline

When each newsroom published on this story, oldest first — all times UTC.

  1. Apple Day called off after poor harvest

  2. 'Jumping genes' helped ants in their evolutionary triumph after the extinction of the dinosaurs

  3. Montreal's squirrels provide insight into evolutionary change in urban species

Sources

The original report was published by Phys.org. WorldPing does not claim that reporting — this page summarises and contextualises it.

Read the full report at Phys.org

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Brief by WorldPing · Original reporting by Phys.org