Carnival transformations in the natural world
At Carnival time, humans like to think that we can be masters of disguise and transformation: men dressed like women; and women like jamettes, or birds… But throughout the world there are plants and animals disguising and transforming to ensure their survival. What would an acacia tree do to prevent its leaves from being eaten? Or an insect living near flowers to get more food? Dr Anjani Ganase looks at some specific animals and plants Plants that behave like Animals Ti- Marie (Mary, Mary Shut your door or Touch Me Not!), also known as Mimosa pudica was always a memorable childhood introduction into more interesting plant life, precisely because it responded like an animal when touched. This reaction is an evolutionary strategy where the plant is able to retract its leaflets upon being touched. This response to touch is known as thigmotaxis. The mechanism of the folding results from a change in the turgidity in the “hinge” where the leaflets are attached to the ...