1 00:00:14,687 --> 00:00:20,080 (STEVE LEONARD ) Midwinter at the bottom of the world - Antarctica - 2 00:00:20,247 --> 00:00:22,363 the coldest place on Earth, 3 00:00:22,527 --> 00:00:26,918 with an air temperature of minus 50 degrees centigrade, 4 00:00:28,367 --> 00:00:31,598 You'd think that nothing could survive here, 5 00:00:33,607 --> 00:00:37,122 Yet, huddling together, somehow these emperor penguins 6 00:00:37,287 --> 00:00:41,599 have evolved to cope with the battle for life in the big freeze, 7 00:00:52,447 --> 00:00:55,757 But cold is not the penguins' biggest enemy, 8 00:01:00,527 --> 00:01:02,518 This is, 9 00:01:08,687 --> 00:01:12,157 The leopard seal - four metres long - 10 00:01:12,327 --> 00:01:13,680 a super-predator, 11 00:01:13,847 --> 00:01:15,724 (PENGUINS SQUAWK) 12 00:01:15,887 --> 00:01:20,483 No wonder everyone's reluctant to be the first to take the plunge, 13 00:01:32,807 --> 00:01:37,756 Penguin and seal have a relationship forged over millions of years - 14 00:01:37,927 --> 00:01:40,646 that of predator and prey, 15 00:01:51,207 --> 00:01:57,521 It's easy to see nature as red in tooth and claw, where predators dictate who lives and dies 16 00:01:57,687 --> 00:02:01,760 and only the fastest and strongest survive, 17 00:02:02,847 --> 00:02:07,079 But the truth is, predators and prey are just part of life's story, 18 00:02:07,247 --> 00:02:11,957 Our world is made up of a vast network of different relationships, 19 00:02:14,007 --> 00:02:19,035 Animals, including us, have to find mates, look after families 20 00:02:19,207 --> 00:02:21,960 and keep up with the neighbours, 21 00:02:22,647 --> 00:02:27,402 And all these relationships affect how we look and behave, 22 00:02:30,447 --> 00:02:33,200 (ROARS) 23 00:02:33,367 --> 00:02:35,642 (SCREECHING) 24 00:02:37,847 --> 00:02:39,838 This is the surprising story 25 00:02:40,007 --> 00:02:46,879 of how the relationships between all living things have shaped the whole journey of life, 26 00:03:03,647 --> 00:03:07,322 Life on Earth wasn't always as complicated as it is today, 27 00:03:07,487 --> 00:03:10,763 There was a time when there were no relationships, 28 00:03:12,447 --> 00:03:14,438 There was no violence, 29 00:03:14,607 --> 00:03:16,598 practically no competition, 30 00:03:16,767 --> 00:03:18,086 and no sex. 31 00:03:18,247 --> 00:03:19,885 Imagine that. 32 00:03:26,887 --> 00:03:33,122 Three billion years ago, the pinnacle of evolution was these strange lumps on the ocean floor - 33 00:03:33,287 --> 00:03:38,281 stromatolites, made up of ancient algae, 34 00:03:48,287 --> 00:03:51,597 It might not have the ring of the “age of the dinosaurs”, 35 00:03:51,767 --> 00:03:55,203 but the age of the stromatolites was eight times longer 36 00:03:55,367 --> 00:04:00,964 and was the longest period of peace and tranquillity that life has ever known. 37 00:04:03,527 --> 00:04:09,284 They might not look much, but stromatolites had the power to change the world, 38 00:04:09,447 --> 00:04:15,158 For the first time in the history of the planet, they produced a gas called oxygen, 39 00:04:15,327 --> 00:04:19,286 and so totally transformed the planet's atmosphere, 40 00:04:21,087 --> 00:04:23,999 Not only did they generate the air we breathe, 41 00:04:24,167 --> 00:04:28,046 they set the scene for all life as we know it today, 42 00:04:30,287 --> 00:04:33,882 Because of them, a brand-new type of cell evolved, 43 00:04:34,047 --> 00:04:37,881 perhaps the most important life has ever known, 44 00:04:40,087 --> 00:04:45,798 These revolutionary oxygen-fuelled cells spawned our ancestors, 45 00:04:45,967 --> 00:04:50,199 but they were 20 times more energetic than the older models, 46 00:04:50,367 --> 00:04:54,804 Some discovered that the quickest way to get the extra energy they needed 47 00:04:54,967 --> 00:04:59,199 was to steal it by engulfing other cells, 48 00:05:03,487 --> 00:05:07,275 A new force was unleashed - the predator, 49 00:05:14,687 --> 00:05:16,643 (PANTS) 50 00:05:21,607 --> 00:05:25,646 With predators around, you’ve got to be able to defend yourself. 51 00:05:26,367 --> 00:05:30,121 One way is to make yourself invisible. 52 00:05:37,367 --> 00:05:39,278 Armour’s good, too. 53 00:05:39,447 --> 00:05:41,358 Good solid protection. 54 00:05:43,727 --> 00:05:47,515 Staying alert can mean the difference between life and death. 55 00:06:05,087 --> 00:06:08,443 As predators find better ways to catch and kill, 56 00:06:08,607 --> 00:06:12,316 their prey have to improve their self-defence, 57 00:06:13,527 --> 00:06:18,920 The two are locked in an intense relationship which forces both sides to change 58 00:06:19,087 --> 00:06:22,682 because neither can afford to be left behind, 59 00:06:34,967 --> 00:06:38,084 Nature selects only the winners’ genes, 60 00:06:38,247 --> 00:06:41,364 The losers will disappear, 61 00:06:45,767 --> 00:06:51,205 This arms race has helped shape the lives and bodies of just about everything alive today 62 00:06:51,367 --> 00:06:55,201 and pushed some creatures to incredible extremes, 63 00:07:09,087 --> 00:07:11,999 This cricket might think it's on a flower... 64 00:07:15,927 --> 00:07:20,637 ..but it's actually a mantis that's evolved to look just like an orchid, 65 00:07:20,807 --> 00:07:23,799 Beauty turns out to be a beast, 66 00:07:33,487 --> 00:07:36,524 Other hunting strategies are even more bizarre, 67 00:07:40,207 --> 00:07:44,439 Over millennia, the snapping turtle's efforts to reel in a fish 68 00:07:44,607 --> 00:07:47,804 have turned its tongue into a juicy worm, 69 00:07:58,887 --> 00:08:02,277 But secret weapons aren't the only winning formula, 70 00:08:02,447 --> 00:08:05,917 Sometimes, more subtle tactics may be what you need, 71 00:08:06,087 --> 00:08:10,877 Meet jumping spider Portia, one of the world's smallest assassins, 72 00:08:12,927 --> 00:08:15,964 She's hunting the much larger web spider, 73 00:08:19,287 --> 00:08:23,678 She might be tiny, but she has a big appetite, 74 00:08:28,687 --> 00:08:35,525 Her first direct approach alerts her target, who shakes the web and forces Portia to retreat, 75 00:08:39,887 --> 00:08:41,878 But Portia has evolved a plan B - 76 00:08:42,047 --> 00:08:45,801 a manoeuvre straight out of “Mission: Impossible”, 77 00:08:59,647 --> 00:09:02,957 She slowly lowers herself within striking range... 78 00:09:03,727 --> 00:09:05,683 ..leaps, bites... 79 00:09:05,847 --> 00:09:10,125 ..and leaves the poison from her tiny fangs to do the rest, 80 00:09:16,487 --> 00:09:21,515 This time, it isn't size or secrecy that counts, but strategy, 81 00:09:21,687 --> 00:09:25,760 Portia may be small, but she's as deadly as they come, 82 00:09:30,087 --> 00:09:32,920 The relationship between hunter and hunted 83 00:09:33,087 --> 00:09:39,606 doesn't only shape the way that predators attack, it drives the way that prey fight back, 84 00:09:39,767 --> 00:09:44,841 Sometimes, it's just about using your natural assets in a different way, 85 00:09:46,687 --> 00:09:50,726 When a hungry raven eyes their chicks, fieldfares fight dirty, 86 00:09:54,087 --> 00:09:56,203 They drop bombs, 87 00:09:56,367 --> 00:09:58,756 (CAWS) 88 00:10:19,607 --> 00:10:22,519 A dirty trick but, hey, it works, 89 00:10:27,287 --> 00:10:31,997 The only problem with an evolutionary arms race is that we don't see it develop. 90 00:10:32,167 --> 00:10:34,078 All we see is the end result. 91 00:10:38,527 --> 00:10:42,839 But there are rare exceptions, like the story of the passion flower. 92 00:10:43,007 --> 00:10:47,000 Like other prey species, they're evolving to protect themselves, 93 00:10:47,167 --> 00:10:51,001 but what makes them unique is that you can watch them doing it. 94 00:10:54,087 --> 00:11:00,037 Plants have to fight for survival, too, and even these exotic passion vines have enemies, 95 00:11:07,767 --> 00:11:09,997 At home in tropical America, 96 00:11:10,167 --> 00:11:16,606 they're under constant attack from lethal predators that live deep in the jungle - 97 00:11:18,847 --> 00:11:20,883 heliconius butterflies, 98 00:11:22,687 --> 00:11:27,807 The adults are harmless enough, It's what they leave behind them that's the problem, 99 00:11:28,887 --> 00:11:32,800 Mother butterflies lay their eggs on the passion vine's leaves, 100 00:11:35,687 --> 00:11:38,042 Tiny time bombs... 101 00:11:43,087 --> 00:11:47,046 ..which soon hatch out into very hungry caterpillars, 102 00:11:52,407 --> 00:11:55,717 This plant's fate is already sealed, 103 00:11:55,887 --> 00:11:58,765 In a few days, there will be nothing left, 104 00:12:06,487 --> 00:12:11,959 If a passion vine already has a batch of eggs installed, it's pointless to lay more, 105 00:12:12,127 --> 00:12:19,044 A sensible mother butterfly will pass it by, which gives the passion flower a chance to fight back, 106 00:12:19,207 --> 00:12:22,995 Today, not all the eggs are quite what they appear, 107 00:12:23,167 --> 00:12:29,800 Some are in fact just yellow spots grown by the passion flower to deter mother butterflies, 108 00:12:34,927 --> 00:12:39,000 But in this mini arms race, not all attacks are foiled, 109 00:12:43,047 --> 00:12:45,800 Some passion flowers haven't quite got it nailed. 110 00:12:45,967 --> 00:12:49,243 These spots are supposed to be butterfly eggs, 111 00:12:49,407 --> 00:12:52,956 but it hasn't quite put off all of the butterflies, 112 00:12:53,127 --> 00:12:57,200 because we've got a very greedy caterpillar. 113 00:12:59,807 --> 00:13:03,277 So there's pressure for ever better mimics to evolve, 114 00:13:03,447 --> 00:13:06,962 Some are now so good, it's hard to tell which eggs are real, 115 00:13:08,687 --> 00:13:10,006 False, 116 00:13:10,767 --> 00:13:12,200 Real, 117 00:13:12,807 --> 00:13:14,126 Real, 118 00:13:15,407 --> 00:13:16,726 False, 119 00:13:17,807 --> 00:13:19,798 And real, 120 00:13:21,527 --> 00:13:25,839 Who'd have thought that the relationship between a butterfly and a vine 121 00:13:26,007 --> 00:13:28,601 could produce such a sophisticated bluff? 122 00:13:29,847 --> 00:13:32,520 But trouble can come at you from all sides. 123 00:13:32,687 --> 00:13:38,000 Even when you’re safe from predators, you can often have strife from your own kind - 124 00:13:38,167 --> 00:13:39,998 competition. 125 00:13:43,247 --> 00:13:50,437 In a rainforest, of course, the plants are all after the same thing - precious light, 126 00:13:53,487 --> 00:13:59,039 And they can't all be winners, Only those best adapted to compete survive, 127 00:14:01,887 --> 00:14:08,201 It's the same principle wherever there's a crowd, In Africa, meat is the prize, 128 00:14:11,727 --> 00:14:16,676 A vulture has the aerial advantage that means it can spot the first signs of a kill, 129 00:14:16,847 --> 00:14:20,476 but it won't have long to feed undisturbed, 130 00:14:23,007 --> 00:14:27,683 Before long, every vulture in the area is fighting for a beakful, 131 00:14:35,327 --> 00:14:39,002 At this buffet, now only the toughest get to eat, 132 00:14:40,487 --> 00:14:43,877 Lappet-faced vultures are the biggest bully boys of all, 133 00:14:44,527 --> 00:14:47,758 They knock the smaller griffons flying, 134 00:15:00,807 --> 00:15:04,436 But a free lunch attracts other hopefuls, too, 135 00:15:04,607 --> 00:15:09,556 More feathers fly as even lappets have to make way for the mammal heavy mob, 136 00:15:09,727 --> 00:15:13,037 (SNARLING AND SCREECHING) 137 00:15:22,927 --> 00:15:28,718 Like predators and prey, this kind of competition is a real force to be reckoned with - 138 00:15:28,887 --> 00:15:34,007 another influence on evolution which selects only the toughest to survive, 139 00:15:39,047 --> 00:15:41,959 Competition is so crucial to animals' lives 140 00:15:42,127 --> 00:15:45,642 it can have a massive impact on their body shape, 141 00:15:49,767 --> 00:15:53,840 Browsers have been moulded into different shapes and sizes 142 00:15:54,007 --> 00:15:56,840 so they don't tread on each other's toes, 143 00:16:02,447 --> 00:16:06,122 Tiny dik-diks can nibble around the thorny lower branches 144 00:16:06,287 --> 00:16:12,123 in a way no bigger animals can, so they don't need to reach higher than a couple of feet, 145 00:16:16,687 --> 00:16:20,839 Taller impala have control over the acacia's middle zone, 146 00:16:22,847 --> 00:16:25,919 But even they are kept in their place by the gerenuk, 147 00:16:26,087 --> 00:16:29,363 which has a poise no other antelope can match, 148 00:16:34,167 --> 00:16:39,958 Gerenuks look more like ballet dancers than gazelles, They even balance on their pointes, 149 00:16:42,927 --> 00:16:47,398 Their specially adapted hips and spines enable them to swivel vertically 150 00:16:47,567 --> 00:16:50,127 and stand tiptoe on their hind legs, 151 00:16:55,807 --> 00:17:01,677 But there's one animal who can feed even higher still - up to six metres, 152 00:17:01,847 --> 00:17:04,077 It has a flexible leathery tongue 153 00:17:04,247 --> 00:17:08,479 which it can use like a hand to pluck the highest twigs and leaves, 154 00:17:08,647 --> 00:17:12,276 thanks to evolving the longest neck in the world, 155 00:17:12,447 --> 00:17:14,278 The giraffe, 156 00:17:27,287 --> 00:17:32,839 So competition hasn't just pushed animals into developing different eating habits, 157 00:17:33,007 --> 00:17:38,286 it's helped create different species that can live together in harmony, 158 00:17:43,287 --> 00:17:47,678 But what happens when neighbours want exactly the same thing? 159 00:17:49,087 --> 00:17:53,239 Ringtailed lemurs live in troops on the island of Madagascar, 160 00:17:54,087 --> 00:17:57,238 Each group needs their own territory to survive, 161 00:17:57,407 --> 00:18:01,685 for shelter, food and a safe place to rear their babies, 162 00:18:01,847 --> 00:18:05,840 but they're often under threat from other lemur gangs.., 163 00:18:08,087 --> 00:18:11,318 ..who'll steal the whole thing if they can, 164 00:18:22,127 --> 00:18:24,846 - (SCREECHES) - The alarm sounds, 165 00:18:25,007 --> 00:18:29,285 These intruders look like they mean business, Time to rally the troops, 166 00:18:40,367 --> 00:18:45,282 Lemur society is run by females, so it's they who lead the band into the fray - 167 00:18:45,447 --> 00:18:48,723 soldiers with babies on their backs, 168 00:18:48,927 --> 00:18:51,919 (DIN OF SCREECHING) 169 00:19:19,047 --> 00:19:24,121 When competition gets this intense, the lemurs' answer is teamwork, 170 00:19:34,327 --> 00:19:37,160 (CHIRPING) 171 00:19:40,847 --> 00:19:46,001 Once animals are driven to work together, the close relationships which evolve 172 00:19:46,167 --> 00:19:48,806 can open up a whole new way of life, 173 00:19:53,487 --> 00:19:56,797 Meerkats are high on the menu for many predators... 174 00:19:59,607 --> 00:20:02,679 ..so they work together to protect themselves, 175 00:20:19,407 --> 00:20:23,685 They're one of the few mammals that take turns at doing different jobs, 176 00:20:30,527 --> 00:20:35,123 While the rest of the family digs for breakfast, one member stands guard, 177 00:20:35,287 --> 00:20:38,006 looking out for predators, 178 00:20:40,487 --> 00:20:45,163 The others feel safe in the knowledge that someone is watching their backs, 179 00:20:57,927 --> 00:21:00,964 (CHIRPING) 180 00:21:10,687 --> 00:21:14,475 And it's not just lookout duty meerkats share, 181 00:21:16,367 --> 00:21:20,280 When a monitor lizard appears, they all gang up to drive it away, 182 00:21:29,647 --> 00:21:33,925 En masse, these little creatures make a formidable force, 183 00:21:34,087 --> 00:21:36,078 (CHIRPING) 184 00:21:49,527 --> 00:21:53,805 Being such good team players is the meerkats' winning formula, 185 00:21:54,567 --> 00:21:57,286 It's all for one and one for all, 186 00:21:59,367 --> 00:22:06,079 It's easy to see why we help our relations, but some animals co-operate with different species, 187 00:22:06,247 --> 00:22:07,760 How could that evolve? 188 00:22:09,687 --> 00:22:13,646 There's an answer to be found in the sea, 189 00:22:39,287 --> 00:22:42,199 A coral reef like this is a natural metropolis, 190 00:22:42,367 --> 00:22:46,918 where everyone is trying to get on and make their own way. 191 00:22:48,367 --> 00:22:52,326 It's full of opportunities, deals to be struck... 192 00:22:53,207 --> 00:22:56,882 Some enterprising characters are cleaning up, 193 00:22:58,447 --> 00:23:02,599 It turns out there's a market niche for professional groomers, 194 00:23:07,887 --> 00:23:13,917 Cleaners - like this tiny wrasse - snaffle up their clients’ parasites and dead skin, 195 00:23:14,807 --> 00:23:17,799 They set up their own cleaning stations, 196 00:23:17,967 --> 00:23:22,199 Customers come from far and wide for dental hygiene or a gill wash, 197 00:23:22,367 --> 00:23:25,643 In return, the cleaner gets a meal, 198 00:23:30,687 --> 00:23:34,521 Cleaner shrimps, too, serve a most discerning clientele, 199 00:23:41,807 --> 00:23:45,766 Fish are smarter than you might think, They have good memories, 200 00:23:45,927 --> 00:23:50,000 and come back regularly to be pampered in exactly the same spot, 201 00:23:50,167 --> 00:23:52,158 and by the same cleaner, 202 00:23:58,367 --> 00:24:04,078 The coral crowd soon learns which are the top salons, boasting the most talented staff, 203 00:24:12,087 --> 00:24:16,717 It's not just tropical fish who've discovered that hiring a little help 204 00:24:16,887 --> 00:24:18,878 can help you get ahead, 205 00:24:20,767 --> 00:24:23,486 Some plants have, too, 206 00:24:29,047 --> 00:24:34,883 This garden only exists because of an ancient alliance between insects and plants. 207 00:24:37,687 --> 00:24:39,882 It's a real match made in heaven 208 00:24:40,047 --> 00:24:45,405 as it's produced some of the most beautiful of all living things - flowers. 209 00:24:51,927 --> 00:24:54,316 Since flowers can't move around, 210 00:24:54,487 --> 00:24:59,800 they need help to carry pollen between them so they can produce fertile seeds, 211 00:25:02,167 --> 00:25:06,797 So they advertise themselves as nectar feeding stations, 212 00:25:15,087 --> 00:25:19,558 As the insects feed, they get an extra takeaway of pollen, 213 00:25:21,007 --> 00:25:25,239 It's an evolutionary partnership that has proved so successful, 214 00:25:25,407 --> 00:25:28,399 flowering plants now dominate our world, 215 00:25:37,127 --> 00:25:38,606 To guarantee delivery, 216 00:25:38,767 --> 00:25:43,716 some flowers have developed an exclusive contract with their pollinators, 217 00:25:43,887 --> 00:25:49,598 Orchids, the royal family of flowers, can be very demanding indeed, 218 00:25:51,767 --> 00:25:55,476 Some, like this bucket orchid, seem downright cruel, 219 00:25:58,367 --> 00:26:01,439 This euglossine bee has to visit the bucket orchid, 220 00:26:01,607 --> 00:26:06,761 He needs its perfumed oils to use as an insect aftershave to attract a mate, 221 00:26:09,487 --> 00:26:13,639 But as he gathers the oil, he loses his grip - 222 00:26:15,287 --> 00:26:18,165 exactly what the orchid wants, 223 00:26:19,687 --> 00:26:24,761 It has evolved a complex trap which press-gangs male bees into service, 224 00:26:26,087 --> 00:26:30,717 The only way out is via the back door and the orchid's pollen sacs, 225 00:26:51,687 --> 00:26:54,804 The pollen sticks to the delivery bee's back, 226 00:26:59,527 --> 00:27:03,281 Once free, he takes a short while to dry off, 227 00:27:07,687 --> 00:27:11,077 Surely he'll never go near a bucket orchid again! 228 00:27:12,007 --> 00:27:16,000 Either male bees have short memories or run out of aftershave, 229 00:27:16,167 --> 00:27:19,955 because here he is falling for the same ploy all over again, 230 00:27:22,887 --> 00:27:27,039 The difference this time is that he's delivering pollen instead, 231 00:27:30,287 --> 00:27:34,724 No question who's wearing the trousers in this relationship, 232 00:27:39,087 --> 00:27:44,605 Although the bond between flowers and insects has extraordinarily beautiful results, 233 00:27:44,767 --> 00:27:50,478 plants also depend on an invisible partnership which is even more important, 234 00:27:50,647 --> 00:27:54,640 Because without it, most of them wouldn’t even exist at all. 235 00:27:54,807 --> 00:27:58,686 They need it to grow, and some plants, like these guys here, 236 00:27:58,847 --> 00:28:00,678 grow very big indeed! 237 00:28:04,287 --> 00:28:07,438 Californian redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, 238 00:28:07,607 --> 00:28:11,043 They can live for more than 2,000 years 239 00:28:11,207 --> 00:28:14,085 and grow more than 300 feet tall, 240 00:28:14,247 --> 00:28:19,958 These are some of the largest of all living things, but they rely on the tiniest of partners - 241 00:28:20,127 --> 00:28:23,358 partners so small that they're almost invisible - 242 00:28:23,527 --> 00:28:26,485 and if I am to stand a chance of seeing them at all, 243 00:28:26,647 --> 00:28:30,276 I've got to go all the way back down there. 244 00:28:40,887 --> 00:28:46,519 They're microscopic and they live hidden underground amongst the tree's roots. 245 00:29:01,087 --> 00:29:03,999 These secret partners turn out to be fungi, 246 00:29:04,167 --> 00:29:06,317 They penetrate the tree's roots, 247 00:29:06,487 --> 00:29:10,799 then stretch out through the soil as a network of tiny threads, 248 00:29:11,927 --> 00:29:16,159 The giant trees can't get enough water and nutrients on their own, 249 00:29:16,327 --> 00:29:18,557 but the fungal network can, 250 00:29:18,727 --> 00:29:23,357 Its massive surface area sucks up the fluid and minerals the trees need 251 00:29:23,527 --> 00:29:26,519 and then transports them back up to their roots, 252 00:29:28,847 --> 00:29:31,919 And what do the trees do for the fungi in return? 253 00:29:32,087 --> 00:29:36,239 Just feed them sugars from their leaves - not a bad deal! 254 00:29:37,167 --> 00:29:40,716 90% of all plants live with fungal partners, 255 00:29:40,887 --> 00:29:43,845 from the redwoods to the rainforests, 256 00:29:44,007 --> 00:29:47,682 It's a 400-million-year-old marriage, 257 00:29:47,847 --> 00:29:53,604 It's possible that without it, plants might never have been able to colonise the land, 258 00:29:54,687 --> 00:29:59,807 And without all this green stuff, where would all we animals be? 259 00:30:05,487 --> 00:30:12,086 The close relationship between plants and fungi is just one of the great alliances to shape life. 260 00:30:13,007 --> 00:30:15,999 There is another - you need a microscope to see it, 261 00:30:16,167 --> 00:30:19,364 It's perhaps the most important partnership on Earth, 262 00:30:19,967 --> 00:30:25,405 It provides the power for nearly all living things, driving every cell in or bodies. 263 00:30:36,167 --> 00:30:39,125 And it's what gives animals their energy, 264 00:30:39,287 --> 00:30:42,040 (MUSIC) 265 00:31:05,527 --> 00:31:08,439 Scattered through the cells of all our bodies 266 00:31:08,607 --> 00:31:13,203 are billions of mysterious structures called mitochondria, 267 00:31:13,367 --> 00:31:17,565 Each is a tiny furnace that releases energy from our food 268 00:31:17,727 --> 00:31:21,356 and generates the life force that our bodies need, 269 00:31:25,367 --> 00:31:27,517 Whoa. 270 00:31:27,687 --> 00:31:30,884 Animals like me and all these guys 271 00:31:31,047 --> 00:31:35,120 can only exist because of the energy the mitochondria release. 272 00:31:36,087 --> 00:31:40,478 It's a crucial relationship and one with very unusual beginnings. 273 00:31:40,647 --> 00:31:44,083 In fact, it didn't even start as a partnership. 274 00:31:44,247 --> 00:31:45,999 Come on, then, big man. 275 00:31:49,087 --> 00:31:55,196 Billions of years ago, the mitochondria lived independent lives as free-floating bacteria, 276 00:31:55,367 --> 00:31:58,404 but our ancestor cell changed all that, 277 00:31:58,567 --> 00:32:05,086 It engulfed one, but instead of eating it, our ancestor formed an alliance with its prey, 278 00:32:09,687 --> 00:32:13,236 The two joined forces and were transformed, 279 00:32:14,807 --> 00:32:17,241 The bacteria became a mitochondrion 280 00:32:17,407 --> 00:32:21,241 and together they created a new type of hybrid super-cell.., 281 00:32:22,527 --> 00:32:28,124 ..a super-cell which was the basic building block for almost everything alive today, 282 00:32:28,927 --> 00:32:32,681 So could this mean that it is co-operation and not conflict 283 00:32:32,847 --> 00:32:36,556 which is actually the strongest force in evolution? 284 00:32:37,367 --> 00:32:41,121 Is the fight for life more the embrace of life? 285 00:32:41,287 --> 00:32:43,482 It's a lovely idea. 286 00:32:43,647 --> 00:32:45,365 (CONTENTED SIGH) 287 00:33:10,607 --> 00:33:14,759 But relationships, they're never straightforward, are they? 288 00:33:16,607 --> 00:33:21,840 Most grazing animals in Africa are plagued by biting insects and ticks, 289 00:33:22,007 --> 00:33:27,206 They also have what seem to be whole squads of helpful hangers-on, 290 00:33:32,087 --> 00:33:38,526 Oxpeckers - insect-eating birds who reach the parts the animals themselves can't, 291 00:33:44,447 --> 00:33:48,998 But oxpeckers aren't quite as innocent as they appear, 292 00:33:50,607 --> 00:33:56,523 They don't just eat up ticks, they peck holes in the animal's skin, 293 00:33:58,927 --> 00:34:05,002 What appear to be honest little helpers, in fact turn out to be blood-sucking parasites. 294 00:34:12,967 --> 00:34:18,803 A way of life which, rather horrifyingly, is far more common than you might expect, 295 00:34:27,087 --> 00:34:31,160 Over half of all creatures alive today are parasites - 296 00:34:31,327 --> 00:34:37,038 an insidious hidden force that has infiltrated just about every other living thing. 297 00:34:43,287 --> 00:34:45,596 The Natural History Museum in London 298 00:34:45,767 --> 00:34:50,318 has one of the largest collections of biological specimens in the world.., 299 00:34:52,007 --> 00:34:58,560 ..including some particularly gruesome parasites, all now, thankfully, pickled in alcohol, 300 00:35:04,847 --> 00:35:09,716 Having a relationship with a parasite is very much a one-sided affair. 301 00:35:10,327 --> 00:35:15,481 This might look like pasta but it is, in fact, a tapeworm from a killer whale. 302 00:35:15,647 --> 00:35:20,675 Its natural home is inside the intestine of the whale, robbing it of its food. 303 00:35:21,487 --> 00:35:23,955 They can grow to 60 feet in length. 304 00:35:25,087 --> 00:35:27,237 Imagine that inside your gut! 305 00:35:31,287 --> 00:35:33,278 Which is perfectly possible, 306 00:35:33,447 --> 00:35:37,486 This tapeworm can take up residence in humans too, 307 00:35:43,087 --> 00:35:45,681 This is a human botfly larvae. 308 00:35:45,847 --> 00:35:49,760 It's smaller than the tapeworm but it's much more gruesome. 309 00:35:49,927 --> 00:35:54,125 It burrows into the living flesh of people. Victims of this parasite 310 00:35:54,287 --> 00:35:57,563 say that they can hear it munching away in their skin. 311 00:35:58,287 --> 00:36:01,404 This was surgically removed from someone's head. 312 00:36:01,567 --> 00:36:06,925 If you’re going to pick a parasite to play host to, this is not the one to choose. 313 00:36:10,127 --> 00:36:12,641 But parasites aren't just gruesome. 314 00:36:12,807 --> 00:36:17,005 Because they affect virtually every plant and animal alive, 315 00:36:17,167 --> 00:36:21,877 they may just be the biggest influence on the whole of evolution. 316 00:36:24,647 --> 00:36:26,922 Can that really be true? 317 00:36:31,287 --> 00:36:34,245 Well, take rabbits for example, 318 00:36:34,407 --> 00:36:38,923 You might expect predators to be the biggest influence on their lives, 319 00:36:41,447 --> 00:36:44,917 After all, they're hunted by a whole army of killers, 320 00:36:51,607 --> 00:36:54,565 But with predators, they can at least run away, 321 00:36:54,727 --> 00:37:01,121 Rabbits face another threat which they can't see, smell or hear, 322 00:37:03,767 --> 00:37:08,682 Each rabbit is infested with thousands of fleas, ticks and minuscule mites, 323 00:37:08,847 --> 00:37:12,965 which may be small but pack a powerful bite, 324 00:37:14,207 --> 00:37:21,238 These bloodsuckers sap the rabbit's strength, but within them, they carry a deadlier threat, 325 00:37:22,287 --> 00:37:26,485 These little wild baby rabbits have been abandoned by their mother, 326 00:37:26,647 --> 00:37:31,084 but they've been very fortunate because they've been adopted by a human. 327 00:37:31,247 --> 00:37:33,761 Not only have they escaped predation, 328 00:37:33,927 --> 00:37:39,718 they've also been saved from the biggest rabbit killer - the myxomatosis virus. 329 00:37:45,087 --> 00:37:50,036 A virus is a nightmare straight out of a science-fiction movie, 330 00:37:50,887 --> 00:37:54,323 It's an invader with one aim - to replicate, 331 00:37:54,487 --> 00:37:59,117 It contains special components which enable it to fulfil its mission, 332 00:38:04,487 --> 00:38:09,003 A potential victim - the outer surface of a body cell, 333 00:38:09,167 --> 00:38:14,002 On first contact, the virus docks, and merges with the cell membrane, 334 00:38:20,207 --> 00:38:25,804 Its inner pod enters the cell, seeks out the command centre - the nucleus - 335 00:38:25,967 --> 00:38:30,722 and then injects its secret weapon - a snake of virus genes, 336 00:38:31,687 --> 00:38:35,680 These then corrupt the cell, making it into a virus factory, 337 00:38:39,247 --> 00:38:44,605 Eventually, the cell dies and bursts, releasing thousands of new viruses, 338 00:38:44,767 --> 00:38:47,964 and the real destruction begins, 339 00:38:49,087 --> 00:38:55,037 Each year, just about every baby rabbit born in the wild will catch this deadly virus. 340 00:38:55,207 --> 00:38:57,846 Typically, it kills for out of five. 341 00:38:58,007 --> 00:39:02,603 That means in a litter like this, only one would survive. 342 00:39:09,607 --> 00:39:13,520 Viruses are a truly fearsome evolutionary selection force, 343 00:39:13,687 --> 00:39:18,602 far more deadly than predators or competition, 344 00:39:32,527 --> 00:39:38,477 Every living thing has to evolve to fight off viruses - or risk extinction, 345 00:39:39,287 --> 00:39:46,557 I'm talking about warfare on a cellular level which affects all species alive, including us. 346 00:39:47,287 --> 00:39:52,680 In 1918, at the end of the Great War, a flu virus struck Europe, 347 00:39:53,487 --> 00:39:57,480 The war killed 25 million people over four years - 348 00:39:57,647 --> 00:40:00,559 that's three times the population of London - 349 00:40:00,727 --> 00:40:05,005 but the flu epidemic wiped out the same number in just four months, 350 00:40:08,287 --> 00:40:14,078 A virus can wipe out a population and can even threaten an entire species. 351 00:40:31,087 --> 00:40:35,922 So, against such a powerful enemy, how can anything possibly fight back? 352 00:40:36,087 --> 00:40:41,719 The answer is a major obsession for many species on this planet, including ourselves - 353 00:40:41,887 --> 00:40:43,400 it's sex. 354 00:41:04,847 --> 00:41:10,240 How can sexual relationships have anything to do with the fight against parasites? 355 00:41:10,407 --> 00:41:13,285 Surely sex is just a matter of reproduction? 356 00:41:13,447 --> 00:41:14,800 (GROWLS) 357 00:41:19,327 --> 00:41:24,321 You’d be surprised. It turns out there's a lot more to sex than just making babies. 358 00:41:24,487 --> 00:41:28,878 There are lots of living things that reproduce without it, by cloning. 359 00:41:29,047 --> 00:41:34,917 Look at this spider plant. It's grown babies just ready to drop off and start growing. 360 00:41:35,087 --> 00:41:38,363 They're perfect mini versions of the mother plant. 361 00:41:38,967 --> 00:41:45,600 No need for sex at all, and it's such a neat trick, that many animals do it, too. 362 00:41:48,967 --> 00:41:51,276 Aphids are baby machines, 363 00:41:51,447 --> 00:41:53,836 They don't need to have sex with a mate 364 00:41:54,007 --> 00:41:57,556 because they can pump out new aphids all by themselves - 365 00:41:57,727 --> 00:42:03,085 one every 20 minutes, each already full of their own future daughters, 366 00:42:07,087 --> 00:42:11,603 Cloning is great for increasing numbers, but it has one flaw, 367 00:42:11,767 --> 00:42:14,406 As all cloned babies are identical, 368 00:42:14,567 --> 00:42:18,037 a single killer bug could wipe them all out, 369 00:42:24,927 --> 00:42:27,521 The key thing sex does is create variety. 370 00:42:27,687 --> 00:42:32,681 It's like me and you. We're both basically the same, but we are subtly different. 371 00:42:32,847 --> 00:42:34,166 We're individuals. 372 00:42:38,087 --> 00:42:43,844 It's a pattern that's repeated for all kinds of different animals, from people to puppies, 373 00:42:44,007 --> 00:42:47,636 like these little bull terrier puppies. Ah, yes! 374 00:42:48,327 --> 00:42:51,763 Even within one mating, you get incredible diversity, 375 00:42:51,927 --> 00:42:53,918 as you can see in this litter. 376 00:42:55,007 --> 00:42:59,842 They all have the same mum and dad, so how come they're so different? 377 00:43:00,007 --> 00:43:03,477 It's all to do with the secret magic of sex, 378 00:43:04,687 --> 00:43:08,760 During sexual reproduction, the genetic material is reshuffled, 379 00:43:08,927 --> 00:43:11,487 Every sperm and egg is unique, 380 00:43:11,647 --> 00:43:17,199 so when the two join together to make a puppy, every puppy is born unique, too, 381 00:43:18,647 --> 00:43:20,239 They all look different, 382 00:43:20,407 --> 00:43:25,959 but what's critical in the fight against parasites are the differences you can't see, 383 00:43:26,127 --> 00:43:29,517 These puppies' bodies are unique on the inside too, 384 00:43:31,007 --> 00:43:35,922 This one might be more resistant to parvovirus than the rest of them, yes! 385 00:43:37,087 --> 00:43:41,444 And this one might be more resistant to distemper virus. 386 00:43:43,447 --> 00:43:47,042 And it's the same for you and me with human diseases, too. 387 00:43:47,207 --> 00:43:48,845 Wha-ha-ha. 388 00:43:49,007 --> 00:43:50,838 Yes, there you go. 389 00:43:51,847 --> 00:43:56,967 Resistant individuals have cell membranes which lock the killer virus out, 390 00:43:57,127 --> 00:43:59,960 so its lethal life cycle can't get started, 391 00:44:05,087 --> 00:44:09,205 This is why sex is so crucial. Because we're all born so different, 392 00:44:09,367 --> 00:44:14,646 we present a different challenge to the parasites, increasing or chances of survival. 393 00:44:14,807 --> 00:44:20,723 It's like genetic roulette, with every new generation keeping the killer bugs guessing. 394 00:44:20,887 --> 00:44:24,482 No wonder animals are so desperate to have sex, 395 00:44:24,647 --> 00:44:29,277 It's evolution's way of future-proofing new generations, 396 00:44:31,647 --> 00:44:35,117 (WHINING, HONKING CALL) 397 00:44:35,287 --> 00:44:40,042 But to have sex, you do need a relationship, however brief, 398 00:44:40,207 --> 00:44:42,198 (HONKING) 399 00:44:44,447 --> 00:44:48,963 And many animals go to a lot of trouble to make sure they find a mate, 400 00:44:49,927 --> 00:44:52,566 (WHINING, HONKING) 401 00:44:52,727 --> 00:44:54,240 This element of choice 402 00:44:54,407 --> 00:44:59,197 means sexual relationships can have a huge effect on animal evolution too, 403 00:45:02,847 --> 00:45:07,363 Once a year in autumn, American elk gather together to breed, 404 00:45:10,007 --> 00:45:15,684 It's called the rut - a spectacle where stags compete for breeding rights, 405 00:45:24,287 --> 00:45:28,326 This rut is played out in a most unusual location, 406 00:45:32,047 --> 00:45:35,119 In the mammoth area of Yellowstone National Park, 407 00:45:35,287 --> 00:45:42,443 manicured lawns like this attract the herds into the centre of Yellowstone village itself. 408 00:45:45,287 --> 00:45:48,165 Here, humans get a ringside seat, 409 00:46:02,047 --> 00:46:05,596 Each stag has two aims - to impress the females 410 00:46:05,767 --> 00:46:08,235 and to frighten off rivals, 411 00:46:10,247 --> 00:46:13,637 Although the males are much bigger and more dominant, 412 00:46:13,807 --> 00:46:16,480 it's the females who really run this show, 413 00:46:16,647 --> 00:46:20,799 Like females the world over, they'll be left holding the babies, 414 00:46:20,967 --> 00:46:24,437 so they're very choosy about who they mate with, 415 00:46:29,647 --> 00:46:35,358 Only the real studs with the most impressive antlers and fighting ability will do.., 416 00:46:36,687 --> 00:46:40,202 ..which forces the males to prove themselves, 417 00:46:44,807 --> 00:46:49,323 It's a knock-out contest where only the winners get the right to breed, 418 00:46:53,727 --> 00:46:58,755 So over generations, the battles get harder and the stags stronger, 419 00:46:59,607 --> 00:47:05,921 Female choice means sexual relationships can shape the bodies and behaviour of their mates, 420 00:47:06,087 --> 00:47:08,078 so they are driving evolution, 421 00:47:08,247 --> 00:47:12,320 The males get so charged up when they're fighting over females 422 00:47:12,487 --> 00:47:15,320 that they'll perceive anything as a threat. 423 00:47:15,487 --> 00:47:18,160 (WHINING CALL) 424 00:47:20,087 --> 00:47:26,162 The overwhelming urge to win and pass on their genes can push the stags over the edge, 425 00:48:03,407 --> 00:48:08,197 Thankfully for us males, there are other less violent ways of courting favour. 426 00:48:10,087 --> 00:48:13,636 Sometimes, it's all just a matter of appearances. 427 00:48:16,567 --> 00:48:22,483 One doesn't always have to fight to prove one's worth - often, it's a matter of showing off, 428 00:48:24,287 --> 00:48:28,405 So some males put all their effort into how they look, 429 00:48:31,487 --> 00:48:35,036 Posers can be just as successful as fighters. 430 00:48:43,567 --> 00:48:46,957 Instead of proving their worth on the battleground, 431 00:48:47,127 --> 00:48:50,676 these peacock males flaunt fancy dress instead, 432 00:49:08,647 --> 00:49:13,402 The females will only mate with the ones they find the most attractive, 433 00:49:20,167 --> 00:49:24,524 But does all this ostentation and display actually mean anything? 434 00:49:24,687 --> 00:49:28,839 How can a female be sure she'll have good, strong, healthy babies? 435 00:49:29,007 --> 00:49:32,317 Are good looks all they're cracked up to be? 436 00:49:38,607 --> 00:49:44,398 Remarkably, a little finch proves that masculine beauty is not just skin deep. 437 00:49:47,607 --> 00:49:54,558 Zebra finch males are very colourful, with orange legs and cheeks and bright red beaks, 438 00:49:57,167 --> 00:49:59,965 The females are much plainer, 439 00:50:04,847 --> 00:50:06,997 So why are the males so colourful? 440 00:50:07,167 --> 00:50:10,045 Let's try a little experiment, 441 00:50:11,287 --> 00:50:16,077 The male's red legs and beaks are full of colour pigments called carotenoids, 442 00:50:16,247 --> 00:50:20,445 found naturally in fruits, seeds and carrots, 443 00:50:22,687 --> 00:50:29,001 So here, I'm going to feed half the males a diet high in carotenoids to make them redder.., 444 00:50:38,567 --> 00:50:41,559 ..and then put them in a special choice chamber 445 00:50:41,727 --> 00:50:45,561 next to a duller male who hasn't been fed the pigments, 446 00:50:47,767 --> 00:50:53,683 Two males in their own designer bedrooms at the back, one female at the front, 447 00:50:56,767 --> 00:51:00,123 The sexes are segregated by a pane of glass, 448 00:51:00,287 --> 00:51:05,202 The males can't leave their rooms, but the female can move from one side to the other, 449 00:51:05,367 --> 00:51:08,518 She can choose a male by perching by his window, 450 00:51:08,687 --> 00:51:11,759 either on the left or on the right, 451 00:51:13,287 --> 00:51:18,839 Tiny cameras are installed to record what happens throughout the little bird house, 452 00:51:22,087 --> 00:51:27,002 This high-speed CCTV footage shows what happens next, 453 00:51:27,167 --> 00:51:29,965 Watch the female at the bottom of the screen, 454 00:51:31,687 --> 00:51:34,520 She seems to have chosen the male on the left, 455 00:51:36,207 --> 00:51:40,883 And the camera in his bedroom shows she spends most of her time with him.., 456 00:51:42,807 --> 00:51:47,278 ..while another camera reveals the other guy is ignored, 457 00:51:48,887 --> 00:51:53,438 And who do you think is the most popular? The male with the redder beak, 458 00:51:55,367 --> 00:52:00,122 In fact, in these tests, nine out of ten females preferred him, 459 00:52:02,647 --> 00:52:05,764 But why would they fancy the most colourful male? 460 00:52:08,687 --> 00:52:12,839 Well, the same red pigments not only make the male look good, 461 00:52:13,007 --> 00:52:16,283 they help his body fight diseases, too, 462 00:52:21,687 --> 00:52:26,761 A dull male is probably weaker, and not a good bet as a mate, 463 00:52:28,647 --> 00:52:31,878 Bright colours are an honest indicator of health, 464 00:52:32,047 --> 00:52:36,438 so pretty males do turn out to be a good choice as mates after all. 465 00:52:40,087 --> 00:52:45,957 So the next time your mother says “Eat up your vegetables,” it's a good idea to listen to her. 466 00:52:47,687 --> 00:52:50,247 Especially if you’re male. 467 00:52:52,127 --> 00:52:55,517 A brightly-coloured male is not just likely to be healthy, 468 00:52:55,687 --> 00:52:59,475 he'll also pass on his parasite-fighting genes to his babies, 469 00:53:11,287 --> 00:53:13,721 So it pays for a girl to demand the best, 470 00:53:13,887 --> 00:53:18,915 and this male zebra finch has passed his medical with flying colours, 471 00:53:21,447 --> 00:53:23,244 But there's an extra twist, 472 00:53:23,407 --> 00:53:29,118 Researchers now think that girl power can even create new species - but how? 473 00:53:31,287 --> 00:53:33,676 This guy can give us a clue. 474 00:53:33,847 --> 00:53:40,195 He's a zebra cichlid, and experiments have shown he's a dedicated follower of fashion. 475 00:53:42,327 --> 00:53:46,206 These fish are only found in Lake Malawi in Africa, 476 00:53:48,687 --> 00:53:53,556 What makes them special is that males come in a variety of technicoloured coats, 477 00:53:53,727 --> 00:53:57,276 which is extremely unusual in a single species, 478 00:54:01,287 --> 00:54:06,315 It was a mystery as to why the males came in so many different colours. 479 00:54:06,487 --> 00:54:12,596 They certainly weren't evolving to hide from predators, or adapting to local conditions. 480 00:54:12,767 --> 00:54:18,444 Something else was going on, and that something was the females. 481 00:54:20,927 --> 00:54:25,125 To find out more, we put the fish in choice chambers, 482 00:54:27,087 --> 00:54:30,159 The larger, more colourful males are confined, 483 00:54:30,327 --> 00:54:33,683 but the little brown females can swim where they like, 484 00:54:33,847 --> 00:54:40,241 All they have to do is swim in with the male they fancy most, and their choice is made, 485 00:54:42,807 --> 00:54:46,482 The tests have produced some rather surprising results, 486 00:54:47,447 --> 00:54:53,841 It turns out even females of the same species have different ideas about what is sexy, 487 00:54:55,687 --> 00:54:57,996 Some prefer white males, 488 00:54:58,167 --> 00:55:03,195 some yellow, others blotchy, and so on, 489 00:55:04,647 --> 00:55:10,040 Which explains why zebra cichlid males come in so many different colours, 490 00:55:11,287 --> 00:55:14,996 But how does that help to create new cichlid species? 491 00:55:15,167 --> 00:55:18,477 This is where the girl power bit kicks in, 492 00:55:19,447 --> 00:55:24,726 If a group of females gang together and decide that one colour is now highly desirable, 493 00:55:24,887 --> 00:55:28,402 they'll only mate with those particular males, 494 00:55:28,567 --> 00:55:30,876 This preference is passed on to their daughters, 495 00:55:31,047 --> 00:55:34,835 Over generations, an entirely separate breeding group is formed, 496 00:55:35,007 --> 00:55:38,238 and eventually a new type of cichlid, 497 00:55:46,007 --> 00:55:48,840 Girl power not only helps to create beauty, 498 00:55:49,007 --> 00:55:51,646 it also leads to amazing variety 499 00:55:51,807 --> 00:55:54,196 and, ultimately, new species. 500 00:56:05,887 --> 00:56:08,799 Lake Malawi and the other African Great Lakes 501 00:56:08,967 --> 00:56:12,118 started out with just a handful of cichlid species, 502 00:56:18,127 --> 00:56:23,440 Now they're home to one in ten of all kinds of freshwater fish on the planet, 503 00:56:27,287 --> 00:56:31,360 An incredible 1,700 cichlid species 504 00:56:31,527 --> 00:56:34,485 all fashioned by female choice, 505 00:56:34,647 --> 00:56:39,277 This is the greatest explosion of new species ever discovered, 506 00:56:39,447 --> 00:56:43,884 all driven by the relationship between females and their males, 507 00:56:45,287 --> 00:56:46,800 The truth is, of course, 508 00:56:46,967 --> 00:56:52,360 that sexual relationships are only one of the many interactions between living things 509 00:56:52,527 --> 00:56:55,803 that have the potential to shape and drive life. 510 00:57:09,847 --> 00:57:14,443 Whether with families and friends, competitors or enemies, 511 00:57:14,607 --> 00:57:17,997 living together isn't always easy, 512 00:57:20,687 --> 00:57:27,126 But relationships have been a massive force for change throughout the whole journey of life, 513 00:57:29,007 --> 00:57:32,522 And ultimately it's our connections with each other 514 00:57:32,687 --> 00:57:37,397 that have created the spectacular variety of life we see today, 515 00:58:13,607 --> 00:58:15,723 Next week on the “Journey of Life”, 516 00:58:15,887 --> 00:58:21,120 I'm going to retrace our five-million-year journey from ape to human 517 00:58:21,287 --> 00:58:25,519 and discover how we very nearly didn't make it,