Explosive New Zealand mistletoe
Article Abstract:
The unusual opening of the flower buds of the New Zealand mistletoe Peraxilla tetrapetala, by exploding of the bud's bottom, as reported by J Kujit, was found not to be the normal process. Normally, birds open the top of the bud by twisting it. The plant is normally, but not totally dependent on birds for pollination. In exclusion tests, 22% of buds left to explode achieved pollination. A similar mechanism have been observed in Alepis flavida and the extinct Trilepidea adamsii, which had been documented in paintings. The survival of P. tetrapetala seems to depend on a sustained bird population.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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Arrival of rats in New Zealand
Article Abstract:
The radiocarbon age calculated from bone gelatin reveals that the Pacific rat arrived in New Zealand about 2,000 years ago. The Pacific rat was the only predator in the country for about 1,000 years. The rats preyed on small vertebrates and large invertebrates, and caused their extinction. Dietary influences and long-term diagenetic changes have no effect on the calculation of the radiocarbon age from the bone gelatin of rats.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Sunbird surprise for syndromes
Article Abstract:
A new study investigates the interaction between the South African milkweed, Microloma sagittatum, and its pollinator, the lesser double-collared sunbird Nectarina chalybea. It is found that the bird pollinates plants by transferring pollen on the tip of its tongue as it searches the flowers for nectar. The findings are surprising because the morphology of M. sagittatum suggests that it is not bird pollinated.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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