1 Acuinserere letalis

Kim Lindgren, 2010

1.1 Introduction

Table 1: Details on the phylogenetic placement of the

species
Domain Pseudocaryota
Kingdom Exoplantae
Division Volaspermophyta
Class Multigameta-Nubiformes
Order Dulcifructus
Family Euocculoaceae Figure 2: A graphical representation of a monoploid
Genus Acuinserere
individual with fruit. (a) Taproot branching out in-
side its host animal. (b) Stem with fruit in groups of
4. (c) Small terminal cluster of leaves.
A rare creeping herbaceous parasite. Leaves are
reduced, very small and few, thin, reticulate veins,
distichous in the diploid and terminal in the mono- As in all other members of the Euocculoaceae fam-
ploid. No photosynthetic tissues. Stem and leaves ily (see Table 1), the adventitious roots of the diploid
are brown in the diploid, red in the monoploid. Roots stage invade the tissues of the host plant, living o
are brittle and adventitious in the diploid, monoploid its nutrient and water reserves. The roots also make
with a taproot. Monoploids produce a slightly elon- their way down the stem inside it, until they reach
gate, orange and small fruit. ground level where they grow in all directions very
close to the soil surface. These small brous roots
1.2 Life-Stages and Morphology
are sensitive to stimulation by movement from large
passing animals.
This species has a complex life cycle involving a dis- The diploid stage produces monoploid buds by
tinct diploid and monoploid stage with growth as in- means of meiotic cell division. These develop into
dividual plants. Diploid individuals grow as para- large, dense, pointed and aerodynamic taproots
sites on trees. Monoploids grow at ground level as hanging from the diploid, approximately 20 centime-
hermaphroditic pollen and seed producers. ters long and conical in shape (3 centimeters wide at
its base), with the wider end enclosed by modied
1.2.1 Diploid form and function
leaves (see Figure 1).

1.2.2 Monoploid form and function

When the diploid roots are stimulated by passing an-

imals, the monoploid buds are released from the top
of the host with the purpose of killing the animal be-
low. If successful, the taproot will branch out inside
the animal and digest it by secretion of enzymes. It
is then used as a source of nutrients to produce a tall
stem with a small cluster of leaves (3, rarely 4) on top
(see Figure 2), as well as large amounts of gametes.
The stem and leaves are coloured red from absorption
of pigment from the interstitial uid of the animal.
Pollen is released into the air in very large quan-
tities (as with all members in the Multigameta-
Nubiformes class, see Table 1) from perforations in
the stem and is dispersed by wind (self-pollination is
not possible). After fertilization the monoploid pro-
Figure 1: An illustration of a diploid individual, note duces a rich endosperm and a tough coating around
that the roots are only partially shown. (a) A mono- the resulting zygote, which in turn is encased inside
ploid bud. (b) Stem. (c) Adventitious roots. (d) an orange fruit with a sweet smell and taste. The
Distichous leaves. fruits are arranged in groups of 4 along the stem.
1
1.2.3 Pollen morphology

The pollen produced by the monoploids consists of

two large gametic cells enclosed by a hardened shell of
small dead cells. The thickest areas are equipped with
small spikes that catch the wind and aid in dispersal,
as well as attachment to the pollination site. The
pollen grains surface has many apertures that aid in
germination. See Figure 3 for a cross section.

Figure 3: An A. letalis pollen grain, approximately

50µm across. (a) A thin layer of dead cells, an aper-
ture. (b) Thick layer of small, dead, hardened pro-
tective cells equipped with spikes to aid dispersal by
wind, as well as attachment to the pollination site.
(c) Two large gametes. (d) Cluster of small undier-
entiated cells

The inside of the hardened walls are lined with

small undierentiated cells, their function is un-
known, they could be residual, but some believe they
may serve a function in shock-absorbtion.

1.3 Ecology

A. letalis lives in a mutualistic relationship with tree-

dwelling scavengers that are attracted by the red stem
and leaves of the monoploid, as well as the smell of
decomposing meat from the animal. The scavengers
are provided with food, and by eating the fruit they
spread the seeds to the treetops via their feces. A.
letalis is highly dependent on this relationship for
seed dispersal, which makes them extremely sensitive
to changes in the food web. It has been found that
its presence increases diversity of scavenging species,
possibly to the extent that it may be called a keystone
species.