There are numerous examples of symbiotic relationships in nature. The plover bird who cleans the teeth of a crocodile for its own meal was always my favorite example of the incredible agreements that take place in nature but it may have just been defeated. I recently learned about the relationship between the pitcher plant and the mountain tree shrew and it is incredible.
The pitcher plant is a type of plant that is found clinging to trees high in the Borneo region. The plant is shaped like a jug (or pitcher) and usually catches insects in its vessel for food. However, in the higher altitudes, food is scarce and so the tree shrew has agreed to help.
The tree shrew enjoys feeding on the nectar on the leaf of the pitcher plant (the leaf is like an open lid on the jug). As the shrew licks the leaf it sits atop the pitcher plant. When it is finished eating it will often defecate into the pitcher plant. While this may seem rude behavior the pitcher plant relies on it to survive. The feces is an essential source of nitrogen for the plant and when it rains the feces funnels into the plant. If the plant is healthy it will produce more nectar and more shrews will return, the cycle continues.
Scientists have shown that the pitcher plant has adapted to allow this to take place. The edges of the plant are usually slippy but not in these higher up pitcher plants as they want to make the toilet seat as hospitable as possible for the tree shrew. It also appears that the pitcher plant in these areas has lost its ability to feed on insects and has become reliant on the feces itself. This fascinating discovery is just further proof of how amazing nature is. It also defies the old expression “Don’t defecate where you eat”
