Today, Dr. Manu Ramalho of West Chester University in Pennsylvania joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the wonderful world of ants, their microbiomes, and what their intersection can teach us about our place in the natural world. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Manu Ramalho Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode I wear some microbial themed ties made by Michele Banks of Artologica.  Both Michele and Vexed Muddler understand #MicrobialArt. One of the #LuxArt sessions that I conducted at an ASMCUE session a few years ago.  Dr. Quinn and I would love to do more sessions! Pi Day is an important mathematical holiday.  Dr. Jennifer Quinn at the University of Washington – Tacoma, proud member of the Mathematics Association of America, and on Wikipedia! Albert Einstein’s birthday. The quite amusing 1950s movie about “giant ants,” titled “Them!” A review of Paul Buchner’s encyclopedic work on endosymbiosis.  Some day, I will own a copy of this book! A wonderful book describing microbial symbionts of insects, titled “Influential Passengers.” A review of insects and endosymbionts. Nutritional endosymbiosis in insects. A review of Wolbachia.  When Wolbachia creates plant hormones to provide food for its insect hosts.  The website for “Discover the Microbes Within” which is a CURE based student sourced investigation of Wolbachia in arthropods.  It was designed by Seth Bordenstein and Sarah Bordenstein. An introduction to leaf cutter ants.  Video.   An overview of the leaf cutter ant microbiome. A very relevant article coauthored by Dr. Ramalho describing the relationship between turtle ants and their microbiome. An interesting video interview with Dr. Ramalho. Dr. Ramalho’s faculty website. Dr. Ramalho’s laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to [email protected]