Editing 1259: Bee Orchid
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | Megan is explaining the evolutionary [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/01/1/l_011_02.html phenomenon] of mimicry of female insects which fools male insects into trying to mate with the flower ({{w|pseudocopulation}}). This causes the pollen of the flower to stick to the male bee, who may make the same mistake with another flower, allowing for pollination. | + | Megan is explaining the evolutionary [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/01/1/l_011_02.html phenomenon] of mimicry of female insects which fools male insects into trying to mate with the flower ({{w|pseudocopulation}}). This causes the pollen of the flower to stick to the male bee, who may make the same mistake with another flower, allowing for pollination. |
− | This particular orchid mimicked the solitary bee ''{{w|Eucera}}'', which now only pollinates it in the Mediterranean (the bee isn't really extinct | + | This particular orchid mimicked the solitary bee ''{{w|Eucera}}'', which now only pollinates it in the Mediterranean (the bee isn't really extinct yet). This may eventually lead to the extinction of the orchid due to lack of reproduction. In most areas where it grows, the orchid is using a method of {{w|self-pollination}}, which can be detrimental to the genetic vitality of the species as it is a form of in-breeding. |
Photographs of ''{{w|Ophrys apifera}}'': | Photographs of ''{{w|Ophrys apifera}}'': | ||
− | [[File:Ophrys apifera flower1.jpg|x250px]] [[File:Bee orchids, Aller Brook Local Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 833516.jpg|x250px]] | + | [[File:Ophrys apifera flower1.jpg | x250px]] [[File:Bee orchids, Aller Brook Local Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 833516.jpg | x250px]] |
Female ''Eucera (Synhaolonia)'' guarding nests (left) and male ''Eucera'' (right): | Female ''Eucera (Synhaolonia)'' guarding nests (left) and male ''Eucera'' (right): | ||
− | [[File: | + | [[File:Synhalonia_nest_1.jpg | x200px]] [[File:Apidae - Eucera sp. (male).JPG | x200px]] |
− | + | The title text makes the assumption that, in sixty million years, much like the ''Eucera'' has today, humans will become nearly or completely extinct, and the only remaining records for other forms of life to identify them by would be commercials for the {{w|Axe (brand)|Axe}} line of male grooming products (ads which, like the orchid, present an idealized female form to deceptively attract males). | |
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
:[Beret Guy and Megan are walking through a wood.] | :[Beret Guy and Megan are walking through a wood.] | ||
:Megan: There are these orchids whose flowers look like female bees. When males try to mate with them, they transfer pollen. | :Megan: There are these orchids whose flowers look like female bees. When males try to mate with them, they transfer pollen. | ||
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:[Megan kneels next to a flower.] | :[Megan kneels next to a flower.] | ||
− | :Megan: This orchid - ''Ophrys Apifera'' - makes flowers, but no bees land on them because the bee it mimics went extinct long ago. | + | :Megan: This orchid -- ''Ophrys Apifera'' -- makes flowers, but no bees land on them because the bee it mimics went extinct long ago. |
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:[Megan stands.] | :[Megan stands.] | ||
:Megan: Without its partner, the orchid has resorted to self-pollinating, a last-ditch genetic strategy that only delays the inevitable. Nothing of the bee remains, but we know it existed from the shape of this flower. | :Megan: Without its partner, the orchid has resorted to self-pollinating, a last-ditch genetic strategy that only delays the inevitable. Nothing of the bee remains, but we know it existed from the shape of this flower. | ||
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:[They walk on past the flower.] | :[They walk on past the flower.] | ||
:Megan: It's an idea of what the female bee looked like to the male bee... | :Megan: It's an idea of what the female bee looked like to the male bee... | ||
− | :Megan: ...as interpreted by a plant. | + | :Megan: ... as interpreted by a plant. |
:Beret Guy: Wow, so... | :Beret Guy: Wow, so... | ||
− | + | :[We see a full-colour painting of an orchid flower. It has purple-pink petals on a mottled grey background, along with the bee-like parts. It's quite a realistic painting.] | |
− | :[We see a full- | + | :... the only memory of the bee is a painting by a dying flower. |
− | :...the only memory of the bee is a painting by a dying flower. | ||
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:[The flower is alone in a panel.] | :[The flower is alone in a panel.] | ||
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:[Beret Guy walks back on screen.] | :[Beret Guy walks back on screen.] | ||
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:[Beret Guy kneels down next to it.] | :[Beret Guy kneels down next to it.] | ||
:Beret Guy: I'll remember your bee, orchid. I'll remember you. | :Beret Guy: I'll remember your bee, orchid. I'll remember you. | ||
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:[Beret Guy walks off-panel again.] | :[Beret Guy walks off-panel again.] | ||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | ||
[[Category:Comics with color]] | [[Category:Comics with color]] | ||
[[Category:Biology]] | [[Category:Biology]] | ||
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