SNAPSHOT: Dracula Ants Have Mandibles That Move at 200 MPH

The mandibles of the Dracula ant, Mystrium camillae, are the fastest-known moving animal appendages, snapping shut at speeds of up to 90 meters per second. (Credit: Adrian Smith) Ready, set…CHOMP! With mandibles that snap at up to 200mph (90 meters per second) Mystrium camillae, otherwise known as a Dracula ant, now holds the new speed record for fastest known animal appendage, beating out the trap-jaw ant’s impressive 140mph bite. University of Illinois animal biology and entomology professor Andrew Suarez led the study that uncovered the new record, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. High-speed video was used to record the mandibles in action, along with computer simulations and X-ray imaging to examine the ant’s anatomy in three dimensions. To make up for lack of muscle, arthropods like the Dracula ant have evolved appendage systems that work like latches, levers, and springs. This usually involves the three parts working ...