Apple Branches...

Very interesting about the koalas Ripbudgies. Do you have any other examples?

Not sure exactly what other examples your after Pearce but here is one of my favourites.

The African savanah is home to a rather plentiful species of Acacia. These trees are stunning and I reckon they make the best photographic subjects. They have small leaves and wide spreading canopy. They have either straight or curved thorns with one species (Umbrella Thorn) having both. The tree is browsed by Girraffe, Kudu and Impala each having their unique way of reaching and picking the leaves between the thorns. The Girraffe has a large leathery tongue which apparently does not feel the thorns. Porcupines enjoy the roots. You would think with so many animals browseing that the tree would be devoid of leaves but the tree has a denfense. It can switch on the production of Tannin making it inedible to browsers.

Now of course there are others who invade this plant for one reason or another. Insect pests are such a creature. Now the plant in this case has a symbiotic relationship with an ant. The ant has free rental space at the base of the thorns and in return it provides the tree with a ready made army to combat any insect invaders. The ant can be extremely aggressive and it will attack grazers. During the hottest part of the day the ants are not that active and niether are the browsers but the bees are. The bees are needed for pollination. So you see there is a perfect harmony happening here in just one single living thing.

I have a watched a documentary on this plant and it is truly amazing to see close up the ants in action and all the various aspects of the wonderful Africian Acacia.