Mutually beneficial
Researchers in Papua New Guinea have discovered a species of bat that lives inside a pitcher plant. A pitcher plant is a plant that has a sort of vase, that contains liquid, a bit like an external stomach. This one has a lid on top of its stomach that the bats nest in, the vase/stomach acting like a toilet for the bats, which the plant uses for nutrition.
The plant keeps the lid/nest area free of parasites and at just the right temperature for the species of bat.
But the researchers wanted to know how the bat finds out about the plant.
It turns out that, like the KGB, the plant uses a device to amplify and reflect acoustic signals, which the bats emit as they fly around at night.
So the bat, in its mind, sees a sort of radar screen of trees and insects around it. The plant stands out clearly like an airport homing beacon which the bat is attracted to.
Incredibly, the acoustic reflector device is designed to work from all directions, so the bat doesn't have to line-up like jumbo jets do - it can land from anywhere.
The poor researchers cannot explain how this high-tech, mutually beneficial, co-living system evolved.
GJ PHILIP
Rotorua
Readers commenting on the Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page share their thoughts on increasing the speed limit on key New Zealand expressways.
- There is no need to drive at 110km/h, it should stay at 100km/h across the country.
- 100km/h is fine, what's that quote on the TV ad - "speed kills".
- Pffft!!! Why not 130km/h like Northern Territory Australia.
- Just watch the road toll rise in those areas, stupid idea!
- Do we not have enough people getting killed on our roads now.
- Faster you go the bigger mess you make and more likely more instant deaths, no good.
- Should keep to 100km/h, less road rage.
- I think more idiots are going to crash.
- Ridiculous speed limit! Stay at 100km/h.
- Some people can't handle driving 100km/h let alone 110km/h. And now we will have people pushing to 115-120km/h in those areas, as let's be honest, how many people never go over 100km/h now?
- A lot of people travel at that speed and more, so now they'll just go faster.
- Like people do 100km/h right now? Irresponsible driving and sometimes human error causes accidents not speed. Good choice to raise the speed limit. Been in Western Australia for nine years and it is fine as long as the driver is competent.
- Brilliant.
- Excellent idea.
- I would hope if speeds were to increase that the police enforcement of speeding tickets do as well. A lot of people speed excessively nowadays I would like to see repeat offenders facing extended suspensions.
- When overtaking a heavy laden truck before hitting the foothills, yes you have to accelerate past the ton.
- The bigger the speed... The bigger the mess. Won't be taking my vehicle anywhere near it.
- Good call.
- People are already doing this speed on these bits of road. Both the Tauranga and Waikato expressways are excellent candidates for the speed increase as they are new with two lanes and middle barricades. As long as the roads are maintained really well then there shouldn't be much of a reason for car accidents on this bit of road. Would be interested to know if the stats have dropped already. Drive the bits of road they are talking about increasing before you say it's dangerous because you will find they are pretty safe otherwise the Government wouldn't be changing the rules.
- Makes sense to me. However, most people seem to go much faster than that already.
- Awesome news.
- Should just make it 120km/h.
