Ants have three major body parts: head, thorax, and gastor (abdomen). The thorax can be broken down into two major parts: the alitrunk which contains the legs and wings, and the petiole which is found directly anterior to the gastor and is found only in ants. Ants have mandibles (jaws) which are of varied structures. These varied structures provide for a plethora of functions ranging from grasping, tearing, cutting and other special tasks. Most ants have a stinger at the end of the gastor. Some ants can release this stinger in a similar fashion to honeybees. The stinger is only found in female ants and is a modified ovipositor (egg laying organ). Ants have compound eyes which have not been shown to effect their behavior, although some ants seem to be able to detect movemen t. They have very sensitive antennae that are used for a wide array of communication.
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