Cheval tree
Encyclopedia
The cheval tree is native to North Agalega Island , a territory of Mauritius
. It is unique in its properties of minor adhesivity, which attracts insects: specifically, heelwalkers (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".
while depostiting 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
for further study.
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
. It is unique in its properties of minor adhesivity, which attracts insects: specifically, heelwalkers (belonging to the Mantophasmatodea
Mantophasmatodea
Mantophasmatodea is a suborder of carnivorous African insects discovered in 2002, originally considered to be a new order, but since relegated to subordinal status, and comprising the single family Mantophasmatidae...
) or Formosozoros newi (belonging to the Zoraptera
Zoraptera
The insect order Zoraptera contains a single family, the Zorotypidae, which in turn contains one extant genus with 34 species, Zorotypus as well as 9 extinct species.-Phylogeny:...
). The tree was named for the glue-like secretion of its bark
Bark
Bark is the outermost layers of stems and roots of woody plants. Plants with bark include trees, woody vines and shrubs. Bark refers to all the tissues outside of the vascular cambium and is a nontechnical term. It overlays the wood and consists of the inner bark and the outer bark. The inner...
and the use of horse-hooves for glue in former times--the French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
word (French is the colonizing language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
of Agalega) for "horse" is "cheval".
The cheval and the Agalega Island Day Gecko
In a symbiotic relationship, the Agalega Island Day Gecko (Phelsuma borbonica agalegae) feeds off the insects trapped in the viscous, though thin, sapSap
Sap may refer to:* Plant sap, the fluid transported in xylem cells or phloem sieve tube elements of a plant* Sap , a village in the Dunajská Streda District of Slovakia...
while depostiting its vitamin-rich droppings at the base of the tree. Though this may seem to more resemble commensalism
Commensalism
In ecology, commensalism is a class of relationship between two organisms where one organism benefits but the other is neutral...
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
Gecko
Geckos are lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from 1.6 cm to 60 cm....
. 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
Vingt Cinq
Vingt Cinq is the capital of the Agalega Islands, two islands in the Indian Ocean, governed by Mauritius. It is located on the North Island. In the town, there is a church, a school, and a hospital....
for further study.