TAMBALACOQUE aka "DODO TREE"

Although the "dodo tree" is not extinct, it had been thought to be highly at risk due to the loss of the Dodo bird.  It was thought by 1973 that only 13 tree remained, all over 300 years old.  It had been determined that there are probably a few hundred trees left today, but it's been hard to tell for sure.
The seed of the Tambalacoque tree has a very thick shell.  It had been theorized that without the Dodo present the Tambalacoque seeds would not be able to germinate on their own.

 These seeds had been a favorite of the Dodo and once ingested could be transported and broken down, thus starting the next tambalacoque generation. They seem to have had a symbiotic relationship.

 Today wild turkeys are being fed Tambalacoque seeds to break down the hard shell and people are even scraping the dense coating off by hand in order to plant the next generation.

 It seems that the Tambalacoque tree will be able to stave off extinction without the Dodo there to help out, though the Dodo's presence in Mauritius is still deeply missed today.

 Additional Resources:

 http://treepicturesonline.com/es/dodo_tree_pictures.html

"Dodo Tree" - Image from treepicturesonline.com



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