Cheval tree
The cheval tree is native to North Island, part of the Agaléga Islands, a territory of Mauritius. It is unique in its properties of minor adhesivity, which attracts insects: specifically, heel walkers (belonging to the Mantophasmatodea) or Formosozoros newi (belonging to the Zoraptera). The tree was named for the glue-like secretion of its bark and the use of horse-hooves for glue in former times—the French word (French is the colonizing language of Agalega) for "horse" is "cheval".
The cheval tree is native to North Island, part of the Agaléga Islands,[1] a territory of Mauritius. It is unique in its properties of minor adhesivity, which attracts insects: specifically, heel walkers (belonging to the Mantophasmatodea) or Formosozoros newi (belonging to the Zoraptera). The tree was named for the glue-like secretion of its bark and the use of horse-hooves for glue in former times—the French word (French is the colonizing language of Agalega) for "horse" is "cheval".
The cheval and the Agalega day gecko
[edit]In a symbiotic relationship, the Agalega day gecko[2] (Phelsuma borbonica agalegae) feeds off the insects trapped in the viscous, though thin, sap while depositing its vitamin-rich droppings at the base of the tree. Though this may seem to more resemble commensalism than not, the droppings do in fact provide a registrable gain for the cheval tree, though it is not nearly as great as the free and ample sustenance gained by the gecko. Scientists have yet to come up with a satisfactory explanation for this strange "selflessness" on the cheval's behalf, and have set up a research station in the Agalega town of Vingt-Cinq[3] for further study.
References
[edit]- ^ "Agalega Island". Archived from the original on 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
- ^ Agalega Island Day Gecko – Phelsuma borbonica agalegae Archived September 1, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Government of Mauritius Archived 2012-09-19 at the Wayback Machine