Ants have an astonishing ability to mix collective muscle with individual initiative for heavy lifting, a study has revealed. In experiments, researchers showed how a dozen or more ants working in unison to haul something like a large insect could adjust their course based on new intelligence provided by a single ant joining the effort. Realizing somehow that the group is off-course or headed for trouble, the "scour subtly signaled a needed change in direction by tugging at a different angle. Rather than resisting the others fell into line. 'The individual ant has the idea of how to pass an obstacle but lacks the muscle power to move the load' explained Oliver % Almon, the study's main architect, and a researcher, 'The group is there to amplify the leader's strength so that she can actually implement her idea' Just as surprising, the same ant that took the lead will,10 to 20 seconds later, yield that role to another new arrival with more up-to-date information. As far as we can tell the scout is no different than the other ants° Wilman said by email. 'No one designates the leader, she - not he - designates herself because she has current knowledge about the correct direction.' Ants are among the very few animals, besides humans, that organize among themselves to collectively carry loads for heavier than an individual member of their species. One of the challenges, for ants or humans, is finding a balance between synchronized action, or conformity, on the one hand, and the flexibility needed to adapt, on the other.