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A woody vine, Boquila trifoliolata, has been discovered in Chile that has the amazing ability to change the shape of its leaves depending on what tree it is climbing. Further, the same single vine can drape different species of tree, and it will match the shape and size of its leaves to those of each host, but only along that portion of its length.
Other vines are known to mimic one species of host, as a defense against herbivores, but this vine can mimic many, along its length. Biologists say "It is unclear how B. trifoliolata vines discern the identity of individual trees and shape-shift accordingly." Speculation is that chemicals or microbes might trigger gene-activating signals that trigger leaf differentiation. But left unsaid is how the vine would "learn" how to match the shape of its new host's leaf, how it would know it had succeeded, where it would acquire the genes to do so, and how many different trees it can mimic.
Wouldn't you need eyes to do that?
(Score: 2) by juggs on Wednesday April 30 2014, @01:10AM
An interesting experiment would be to take a few specimens from their current native environment and set them up to grow amongst tree species that are 'unfamiliar' to them, especially such tree species that have notably distinct leaf shapes. Observe.
If the vine specimens managed to mimic their new unfamiliar hosts' leaf shapes within that first generation of vine - that (to me) would be staggering. That could mean that the vines have an incredibly elaborate and accurate 'database' of tree phenotypes mapped to whatever markers the vine is picking up or reacting to in order to produce its leaves. That or they can actually actively 'see' (in its very loosest definition) their current climbing platform and mimic it.
Alternatively, we may find we throw them on a bunch of European oak or larch trees and the vines start growing yucca shaped leaves. i.e. some sort of heuristic "well this is the closest I currently have available Dave" response.
Alternatively, we may find we throw them on a bunch of European oak or larch trees and the vines start growing yucca, banana, coniferous and amorphous shaped leaves in various segments. i.e. another sort of heuristic "I'm sorry Dave, I really don't know what to make of that, so I'll chuck some of everything up and see what gets eaten least" response.
Whatever the result, it would be fascinating.
** no I did not do any looking to see what these particular vines native tree platforms are, I just let some random examples fall out of my fingers. :P
** yes I know the talking plant thing is stupid!