William Atkins
Tuesday, 29 July 2008 07:55
Science -
Biology
Page 2 of 3
Specifically, they concentrated on one particular species of animal.
The team states,
“Pentailed tree shrews (Ptilocercus lowii) frequently consume alcohol doses from the inflorescences that would intoxicate humans. Yet, the flower-visiting mammals showed no signs of intoxication. Analysis of an alcohol metabolite (ethyl glucuronide) in their hair yielded concentrations higher than those in humans with similarly high alcohol intake. The pentailed treeshrew is considered a living model for extinct mammals representing the stock from which all extinct and living treeshrews and primates radiated.”
The
Pen-tailed treeshrew, considered an insectivore, is about the size of a small rat. It has a very long, quill-shaped tail, which is scaly at the base and soft and fluffy at the tip. It is a species of treeshrew in the Ptilocercidae family.
Also called Feather-tipped treeshrews, they are found in the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The researchers conclude,
“Therefore, we hypothesize that moderate to high alcohol intake was present early on in the evolution of these closely related lineages. It is yet unclear to what extent treeshrews benefit from ingested alcohol per se and how they mitigate the risk of continuous high blood alcohol concentrations.”
The
bertam palm (scientific name:
Eugeissona tristis) is a plant with large, ascending leaves and large, scaly fruit. It grows about 20 feet (6 meters) tall. The bertam palm has glosssy green leaflets, spiny leafstalks, and a trunk that remains primarily underground.
The palm is pollinated by the tree shrews and other small creatures. Because the stem-less bertam palms can produce nectar at all times of the years, the tree shrews have a continuous supply of their favorite cocktail.
The nectar, which is produced by
E. tristis, is found within a tall spike found sticking up from numerous fronds (palm leaves). The spike can contain over 1,000 flowers. The nectar, which has a frothy beer-like texture, is concocted with yeast, and appears a few weeks before the plants sexual organs mature.
The alcohol content of the nectar can range from 0.06% to 3.8%.
How did the scientists observe these nocturnal creatures and learn about their drinking habits? Please read page three.
