A Beltian body is a detachable tip found on the pinnules of some species of ''

Acacia ''Acacia'', commonly known as the wattles or acacias, is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea family Fabaceae. Initially, it comprised a group of plant species native to Africa and Australasia. The genus na ...

'' and closely related genera. Beltian bodies, named after Thomas Belt, are rich in

lipid Lipids are a broad group of naturally-occurring molecules which includes fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E and K), monoglycerides, diglycerides, phospholipids, and others. The functions of lipids include ...

s, sugars and

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...

s and often red in colour. They are believed to have evolved in a symbiotic relationship with ants. The ants live inside special plant structures ( domatia) or near the plant and keep away

herbivore A herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example foliage or marine algae, for the main component of its diet. As a result of their plant diet, herbivorous animals typically have mouthpart ...

s. Other ant- mutualism related plant structures include Beccarian, Mullerian and

pearl bodies A pearl is a hard, glistening object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk or another animal, such as fossil conulariids. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is composed of calcium carb ...

. Unique among spiders for its predominantly herbivorous diet, ''

Bagheera kiplingi ''Bagheera kiplingi'' is a species of jumping spider found in Central America, including Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. It is the type species of the genus ''Bagheera'', which includes three other species, including '' B. prosper''.Platnick, ...

'' feeds almost exclusively on Beltian bodies.

References

External links

* Plant physiology Plant morphology {{Botany-stub

See also

References

External links