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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.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Excess liquids

Lipochromes create red feathers: scarlet macaw

The feathers of scarlet macaws gain their red coloration via five lipochromes produced only in parrots.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Light/color

Bacteria fight fungus: leafcutter ants

Fungal gardens of leafcutter ants are free of undesired, parasitic fungus due to presence of symbiotic Streptomyces bacteria.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from biotic factors >
	Fungi

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.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from biotic factors >
	Microbes

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.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Process information >
	Sense signals/environmental cues >
	Electricity/magnetism

Iridescent thin layer provides photoprotection: understory rainforest plants

Leaves of tropical rainforest understory plants are protected from excess sun by blue iridescence.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Light

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.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain community >
	Provide ecosystem services >
	Cycle nutrients

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.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain community >
	Provide ecosystem services >
	Maintain biodiversity

Roots absorb moisture from humid air: orchids

Some orchids absorb moisture from humid air via aerial roots.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Get, store, or distribute resources >
	Capture, absorb, or filter >
	Liquids

Pigment enhances light absorption: tropical plants

Leaves of tropical plants such as Leptospermum recapture light with purple pigment.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Get, store, or distribute resources >
	Capture, absorb, or filter >
	Energy

Leaves focus light: begonias

The leaves of begonias maximize photosynthesis in low-light conditions by using clear surface cells to focus light.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Get, store, or distribute resources >
	Capture, absorb, or filter >
	Energy

Leaves channel water: sacred fig

The leaves of sacred figs channel water off their surface via unique shape, called drip tips.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Get, store, or distribute resources >
	Distribute >
	Liquids

Interwoven trees gain structural support: tropical trees

Trees gain support by growing together in an upward spiral.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain physical integrity >
	Manage structural forces >
	Compression

Evaporation releases seeds: Brazilian hura trees

Brazilian Hura trees launch seeds using tension created by varying rates of evaporation.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain community >
	Provide ecosystem services >
	Disperse seeds

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.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain physical integrity >
	Manage structural forces >
	Impact

Structure and shape provide flexibility: vines

Architecture of vines increases flexibility via soft tissue components and ribbon-like shape.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Make >
	Physically assemble >
	Structure

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.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from biotic factors >
	Microbes

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.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain physical integrity >
	Manage structural forces >
	Impact

Wing scales diffract and scatter light: Morpho butterflies

Wings of Morpho butterflies create color by diffracting and scattering light.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Light/color

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.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Maintain physical integrity >
	Manage structural forces >
	Impact

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.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Light/color

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.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Light/color

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

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Get, store, or distribute resources >
	Distribute >
	Energy

Tongue moves fast: chameleons

The tongue of chameleons accelerates at ballistic speeds even in cold weather using an elastic recoil mechanism.

Biomimicry Taxonomy
	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Speed

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.