Africa Wild

Lisbeth wrote: ↑Thu Dec 31, 2020 10:43 am

Orchids do outsmart stupid females, too



Deceptive orchids typically employ sexual deception of male insects. However, brood-site deception occurs when flowers are pollinated by female flies fooled into attempting oviposition.
The Carrion Flower Orchid Satyrium pumilum

Pollination by carrion insects has been documented in a wide range of plant families. Plants attract these pollinators by mimicking the substrate these pollinators by mimicking the substrate on which the insects rely as a brood or food site through a diverse array of traits such as dark brown or purple flower coloration, the frequent presence of bizarre, filliform appendages and proportionally large flowers and inflorescences. Perhaps the most characteristic trait is the putrid floral scent emitted by the flowers, which closely resembles that of real carrion. Globally, the most important carrion insects include members of the Dipteran families Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae.
Pollination systems that rely on carrion mimicry are often characterized by the absence of a reward and thereby constitute another form of pollination through deception.

S. pumilum is pollinated exclusively by sarcophagid carrion flies, mainly females. Female sarcophagid flies deposit live larvae on S. pumilum flowers. Carrion flies use olfactory and visual cues to find carrion S. pumilum scent is similar to that of real carrion and its dull maroon-brown coloration has the typical appearance of a carrion mimic.

In nature there is mostly a purpose. In these cases I cannot capt it

Lisbeth wrote: ↑Fri Jan 01, 2021 1:38 pm In nature there is mostly a purpose. In these cases I cannot capt it

Why do flowers attract insects?

-> Flowers need pollinators

But flowers must advertise some attractions to insects to lure them.

Most flowers provide food to lure insect (nectar). But production of nectar is costly to flowers, so the smarter flowers have evolved some strategies to cheat, they attract insects without giving nectar (or anything else) in return.
The carrion mimics attract females searching for a site to deposit their eggs or larvae.

Of course!

Fascinating stuff!

Another record holder

African Clawed Frog?

Most eggs?

- The Pipidae family of frogs is unique in that members lack a tongue and a visible ear. The males also lack vocal cords. Instead of moveable eyelids, a horny, transparent covering protects their eyes.

- The African clawed frog was the first vertebrate cloned in a laboratory.

- The African clawed frog can burrow in the mud and may lay dormant for up to a year.

- African clawed frogs can live up to 15 years.

Quite an interesting group of frogs

This specific one is unique otherwise, too

A world record in terms of frogs!