5 replies to this topic

[gypsyjazz]

Found this Article while browsing. Factual, amusing or just   ?

[mantrid]

gypsyjazz, on 16th June 2009 - 18:48 PM, said:

Found this Article while browsing. Factual, amusing or just   ?

Evolution in action I'd say. The mouth is large relative to the pitcher ensuring it catches the faeces. A smaller mouth would mean that the animals rear end would hang over the edge of the pitcher so the deposit would miss.

[Patrickdryden]

David Attenbrough Did a thing about pitcher plants and about a spider that lives in one and the plant absorbs it fecal matter/Remains of prey

[loligo1964]

Once again, leave the NY Times to remain on the cutting edge of science -- Peter D'Amato mentioned the so-called "novel nitrogen sequestration strategy" as far back as 1998 in The Savage Garden with the caption under a shot of Nepenthes lowii, "Tiolet Bowl for Birds?"

Further:

"Charles Clarke has observed birds and shrews feeding on the "eggs," [congealed "beads" of nectar on N. lowii] while their excrement falls in the pitcher!"

[Jürgen]

Hm, a public jungle latrine   

[Clue]

I'll post this picture whenever I see a thread like this.