The Intricacies of Borneo
In this environment, many types of organisms coexist, leading to a dizzying array of interactions: adaptation, competition, cooperation, and deception.
Partnerships among organisms may be more calculated than we imagine. Think of them as two ends of a scale, with the weights the benefits to each partner. Mutual benefit allows partnerships to stably develop, while unilateral benefit brings instability due to deception.
Co-evolutionary relationships developed among flowers of angiosperms and pollinators 140 million years ago. It is difficult not to be in awe of the diversity of plants in the Orchidaceae (orchid) and Zingiberaceae (ginger) families on Borneo that has developed due to such relationships.
Members of the genus Paphiopedilum have a specialized slipper-shaped labellum (lip), which resembles a miniature cage. The scent of Paphiopedilum flowers attracts pollinators. When pollinators plunge into the labellum and then rush to escape, pollination is complete. During this process, there is often no sweet reward.
The stamens of some plants in the ginger family are specialized and fused to form petals to attract pollinators or to facilitate their perching. Sometimes, stigma and anthers move to avoid self-pollination.
In addition, nectar-producing plants attract birds and other animals to feed, and as they do they assist with pollination.
Callosciurus prevostii
by Wong Tzu Chien (Nelson)
Plant seeds are disseminated by careful design. If a whole seed is swallowed, after it is digested, it germinates following excretion. Examples include members of the Anacardiaceae and Meliaceae families, as well as those of the genus Ficus (Moraceae). When seeds of the genus Artocarpus (Moraceae) ripe, they are wrapped in an extremely sweet perianth and spread by foraging animals. There is no specific flowering season for plants in the Musaceae and Zingiberaceae families, which adopt a strategy of maximizing resource utilization and dispersing risk. Members of the family Dipterocarpaceae appear without notice, simultaneously blooming and fruiting in large numbers. Hungry herbivores feast on them. However, some slip through and grow into future forest.
Macaca sp.
by Ching-Chen Shen
Sunlight is not the source of survival for these mysterious myco-heterotrophic plants on the forest floor. On the contrary, they fulfill their nutritional needs through fungi. This behavior, which leads to unilateral benefit, can be described as “a fraud ring” in the natural world.
The seeds of orchids are so tiny that they contain almost no nutrients for germination. As seeds germinate, they often go through a stage where they rely entirely on fungi to receive nutrients.
Burmanniaceae
by Ching-Chen Shen
Plants and ants have different ways of cooperating, most of which involve a landlord-tenant-like arrangement. On Borneo, the most well-known myrmecophytes (ant-plants) are a group of epiphytes in the Rubiaceae family. These Rubiaceae epiphytes feature enlarged and hollow structures, as well as equipped with thorns, forming a place for ants to dwell. Organic detritus that accumulates in the ant nests provides these plants with an additional source of nutrients.
Lecanopteris pumila
by Meng-Ying Tsai
In the natural world, energy and nutrients acquisition are important to the survival of organisms. Do some organisms resort to stealing to obtain them? Or initiate a “hostile takeover?”
In the dim tropical rainforest, epiphytes can be found on large trees, where they are able to receive sunlight. However, there is one type of epiphytes that is more complex! Once members of the genus Ficus (Moraceae) grow, their twisted and gnarled aerial roots tightly coil around a large tree, which becomes an innocent victim as the epiphytic Ficus takes over.
Strangler plants
/ by Ching-Chen Shen
On the forest floor, it is so dark that you almost cannot see your hand in front of you. In addition to shade-loving plants that actively capture any bits of light, there is a group of plants that instead of working hard “borrows” from their neighbors.
Members of the genus Rafflesia are probably the most unique parasitic plants in the understory of Borneo’s rainforests. They have no roots, stems, or leaves. Except when in bloom, they embed themselves into their hosts in the family Vitaceae. This genus is noted for producing the largest flowers in the world, which emit a putrid odor that attracts carrion flies to assist with pollination.
Rafflesia keithii / by Meng-Ying Tsai
In an environment where there is much rainfall and nutrient-poor soil, carnivorous plants have transformed from passive to active, with the development of unique leaves or coloration and wavelengths favored by their prey. Employing techniques, such as secretion of sticky substances, traps, and suction, they package themselves as sweet traps to attract their prey.
However, are there some carnivorous plants on Borneo that have developed intriguing partnerships with animals?
Utricularia sp. / by Ching-Chen Shen
The pitcher structure of Nepenthes hemsleyana helps Kerivoula hardwickii to be identified through echolocation. These bats rest inside the pitcher; in return, plants receive extra nutrients from the bats' droppings.
Kerivoula hardwickii
by batworker
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Could many highland tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes ) be toilets of mountain tree shrews?
The pitcher width of highland tropical pitcher plants is equal to the body length of the mountain tree shrew (Tupaia montana ), preventing shrews from slipping into the pitcher. Scent and Nectar is secreted from the pitcher lid, while the shrew sits comfortably and feasts on the nectar; in return, the plant receive extra nutrients from the shrew’s droppings.
Tupaiidae
by Wong Tzu Chien (Nelson)
The carnivorous function of Nepenthes ampullaria has been significantly reduced. Those water-filled pitchers are used by tiny Microhyla borneensis from egg to adult frog stage.
Microhyla borneensis
by Ching-Chen Shen
Among organisms, there are various forms of "copycats". Some blend into their environment for camouflage, while others imitate each other. The purpose is to find a way to survive in a competitive world.
Megophrys nasuta / by Ching-Chen Shen
In Borneo’s tropical rainforests, there is perhaps the most diverse group of gliders in the world. Gliding differs from flight, as seen in birds, which cannot flap their wings to generate thrust or change direction or height. Instead, they have specialized skin, skin flaps, webbed feet, or flat bodies, which enable them to easily move through the canopy, thereby reducing the time and energy needed to climb up and down.
Galeopterus borneanus / by Ching-Chen Shen
National Museum of Prehistory
Center of Austronesian Culture in National Taitung University
Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, MOA
Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute, MOA
Fengshan Tropical Horticultural Experiment Branch, Agricultural Research Institute, MOA
Xianglin Community Development Association, Manzhou Township, Pingtung
Taiwan Architecture & Building Center
2024.05.03 - 2024.11.15
The 1st Exhibition Gallery；
The Sunshine Pathway
National Museum of Natural Science (NMNS)
The Society of Wilderness (SOW)