ナショナルジオグラフィックのインスタグラム(natgeo) - 9月5日 17時30分

Photo by @jasperdoest | A Galápagos giant tortoise after eating an invasive species of guava fruit on Santa Cruz Island #Galpagos.
While invasive species are usually not good news, scientist think that the invasive fruit may be a boost for an aptly named subspecies called the indefatigable island tortoise (Chelonoidis porteri), which is considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
It's easy to see why tortoises would prefer some invasive species over native ones. The native species of guava, (Psidium galapageium), tends to produce small fruit that has thick skin, large seeds, and bitter pulp. On the other hand, the invasive species of guava, (P. guajava), has been cultivated around the world. As a result, the tree produces dense clusters of large, juicy, thin-skinned fruits that the tortoises love to eat. And furthermore it’s also a matter of availability.
Because tortoises distribute seeds through their dung, the animals contribute to the increase of invasive guava on the islands. While a forest full of invasive plants may be good for the Galápagos tortoise in the short-term, the effects these species have on the ecosystem at large is still a mystery.

#Galapagos #Galapagosislands #Ecuador #gianttortoise #tortoise #reptiles #reptilesofinstagram

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