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Architecture avoids flooding, creates microclimates: ants
The nests of fungus-growing ants avoid flood damage and create uniform microclimates via necklace-like or tree-like architecture.
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Lipochromes create red feathers: scarlet macaw
The feathers of scarlet macaws gain their red coloration via five lipochromes produced only in parrots.
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| Ultraviolet reflectance, pigmentation, coloration, structural coloring. |
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Bacteria fight fungus: leafcutter ants
Fungal gardens of leafcutter ants are free of undesired, parasitic fungus due to presence of symbiotic Streptomyces bacteria.
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Secretions are antibacterial, antifungal: leaf-cutter ants
Members of leaf-cutter ant colonies suppress growth of bacteria and undesired fungi in their fungal gardens via glandular secretions.
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Sensory mucous glands detect prey: platypus
The bill of the duck-billed platypus aids in the detection of prey via large sensory mucous glands that act as electroreceptors.
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Iridescent thin layer provides photoprotection: understory rainforest plants
Leaves of tropical rainforest understory plants are protected from excess sun by blue iridescence.
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Ecosystem manages poor soils: tropical rain forest
Tropical rain forests make the best of poor soils and leaching rainfall by having a species-rich aboveground community that captures water and nutrients before they can be lost.
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| Cycle nutrients | |
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Fruiting tree holds key role in forest: Caesaria tree
The Caesaria tree helps maintain diversity and prevent extinctions in its forest ecosystem because it produces fruit to sustain several animal species through times of scarcity.
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Roots absorb moisture from humid air: orchids
Some orchids absorb moisture from humid air via aerial roots.
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Pigment enhances light absorption: tropical plants
Leaves of tropical plants such as Leptospermum recapture light with purple pigment.
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| Solar cells, building materials that incorporate pigments for light/temperature regulation. |
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Leaves focus light: begonias
The leaves of begonias maximize photosynthesis in low-light conditions by using clear surface cells to focus light.
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Leaves channel water: sacred fig
The leaves of sacred figs channel water off their surface via unique shape, called drip tips.
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Interwoven trees gain structural support: tropical trees
Trees gain support by growing together in an upward spiral.
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Evaporation releases seeds: Brazilian hura trees
Brazilian Hura trees launch seeds using tension created by varying rates of evaporation.
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| Disperse seeds | |
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Seeds survive extreme falls: Brazil nut tree
The seeds of a Brazil nut tree can survive long falls without damage due to the reinforced triple layer pod encasing them.
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Structure and shape provide flexibility: vines
Architecture of vines increases flexibility via soft tissue components and ribbon-like shape.
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Plants enhance health: golden bee
Visits to nutrient-poor plants by golden bees may help protect from disease and parasites thanks to the collection of volatile oils.
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Head protected from minor impacts: cassowaries
The head of cassowaries may be protected from impact as they traverse dense forest thanks to a foam-like 'helmet' with keratinized covering.
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Beak design absorbs high-energy impacts: toco toucan
Toucan beaks are built lightweight and strong thanks to a rigid foamy inside and layers of fibrous keratin tile outside.
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Humidity changes exoskeleton color: Hercules beetle
The exoskeleton of the Hercules beetle changes from green to black with increasing humidity using thin film interference by reversible modification of layer thickness.
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Luciferin molecules create bioluminescence: Pyrophorus beetle
The abdomens of Pyrophorus bugs emit light from three luminescent areas thanks to oxidation of luciferan molecules by the enzyme luciferase, releasing a virtually cold light.
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Tongue moves fast: chameleons
The tongue of chameleons accelerates at ballistic speeds even in cold weather using an elastic recoil mechanism.
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Bill used as heat exchanger for thermoregulation: toco toucan
Bill of toco toucan acts as a heat exchanger to regulate body temperature by adjusting blood flow
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Wing scales diffract and scatter light: Morpho butterflies
Wings of Morpho butterflies create color by diffracting and scattering light.
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Fifty percent of all known plants and animals occur in tropical
rainforests, which cover just six percent of the earth’s surface. There
is much we can learn from how each of these millions of species has
adapted to the challenges of living in a tropical habitat.
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