Relationships
Like all species of the rafflesia, the rafflesia arnoldii must use its host vine, the tetrastigma vine found in Malaysian rainforests, to obtain its nutrients and water, since it does not use photosynthesis. Since the flower has no roots or stems, it uses thin filaments to suck the nutrients from its host. This is known as a parasitic relationship, because the vine is being harmed, while the flower benefits.
Also, instead of being pollinated by bees like most flowers, the rafflesia is pollinated by carrion flies, as mentioned in the adaptations section. When they enter the flower, the pollen sticks to their bodies. They then fly off and find a different flower in which to deposit the pollen. Now, this is an example of commensalism, because the flower benefits, while the carrion flies are left unaffected.
If the flower is pollinated before it begins to decay (5-7 days maximum before this happens), fruit grows. In order to reproduce, the seeds from these fruits must reach a tetrastigma vine. Treeshrews help with this process. They benefit from the fruit, and the flower benefits because its seeds get fertilized. So, this is an example of mutualism.
Like all species of the rafflesia, the rafflesia arnoldii must use its host vine, the tetrastigma vine found in Malaysian rainforests, to obtain its nutrients and water, since it does not use photosynthesis. Since the flower has no roots or stems, it uses thin filaments to suck the nutrients from its host. This is known as a parasitic relationship, because the vine is being harmed, while the flower benefits.
Also, instead of being pollinated by bees like most flowers, the rafflesia is pollinated by carrion flies, as mentioned in the adaptations section. When they enter the flower, the pollen sticks to their bodies. They then fly off and find a different flower in which to deposit the pollen. Now, this is an example of commensalism, because the flower benefits, while the carrion flies are left unaffected.
If the flower is pollinated before it begins to decay (5-7 days maximum before this happens), fruit grows. In order to reproduce, the seeds from these fruits must reach a tetrastigma vine. Treeshrews help with this process. They benefit from the fruit, and the flower benefits because its seeds get fertilized. So, this is an example of mutualism.
Community
The rafflesia arnoldii and its other fellow species from the genus rafflesia are native to the rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak. These large flowers are not the only species living the rainforests, but rather are one of the many that make these tropical rainforests so diverse.
Firstly, there is a great variety of trees located in the tropical rainforests of Malaysia. The most common is the Dipterocarpaceae tree family, which contains an estimated 6000 species. Some of the most common
of this tree family include the Arisoptera spp., Diptercarpus spp., and Shorea spp. These trees reach heights of 24-36 metres, and yet they are not the largest. The Koompassia excelsa, a legume, can reach heights of up to 76 metres. The rainforests are bordered by neram, kelat, and fig trees. There are also large limestone regions that inhabit over 1200 species of plants.
Malaysia shares its biodiversity with Borneo and Sumatra. Unfortunately, due to destruction of rainforests, only 1/5 of the habitat remains for organisms to live in, resulting in reducing numbers and endangerment. The rafflesia is not the only endangered species. The tiger for example, Malaysia's largest predator, is on the brink of extinction, its numbers reaching an estimated 300-650 only over the past decade. The Malayan tapir, is also another endangered species, its numbers drastically reducing. Other endangered animals include the Asian elephant, the Sumatran rhinoceros, the gaur, and the clouded leopard.
The rafflesia arnoldii and its other fellow species from the genus rafflesia are native to the rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak. These large flowers are not the only species living the rainforests, but rather are one of the many that make these tropical rainforests so diverse.
Firstly, there is a great variety of trees located in the tropical rainforests of Malaysia. The most common is the Dipterocarpaceae tree family, which contains an estimated 6000 species. Some of the most common
of this tree family include the Arisoptera spp., Diptercarpus spp., and Shorea spp. These trees reach heights of 24-36 metres, and yet they are not the largest. The Koompassia excelsa, a legume, can reach heights of up to 76 metres. The rainforests are bordered by neram, kelat, and fig trees. There are also large limestone regions that inhabit over 1200 species of plants.
Malaysia shares its biodiversity with Borneo and Sumatra. Unfortunately, due to destruction of rainforests, only 1/5 of the habitat remains for organisms to live in, resulting in reducing numbers and endangerment. The rafflesia is not the only endangered species. The tiger for example, Malaysia's largest predator, is on the brink of extinction, its numbers reaching an estimated 300-650 only over the past decade. The Malayan tapir, is also another endangered species, its numbers drastically reducing. Other endangered animals include the Asian elephant, the Sumatran rhinoceros, the gaur, and the clouded leopard.