Response of a carnivorous plant to simulated herbivory

A SEM and Light Microscope Study of the Epidermal Leaf Structures of the Carnivorous Plant, Sarracenia purpurea, L.

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100065833 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. 358-359

Author(s):

B. J. Panessa ◽

J. F. Gennaro

Keyword(s):

Methylene Blue ◽

Toluidine Blue ◽

Outer Surface ◽

Microscope Study ◽

Light Microscope ◽

Carnivorous Plant ◽

Sarracenia Purpurea ◽

Inner Surface

Tissue from the hood and sarcophagus regions were fixed in 6% glutaraldehyde in 1 M.cacodylate buffer and washed in buffer. Tissue for SEM was partially dried, attached to aluminium targets with silver conducting paint, carbon-gold coated(100-500Å), and examined in a Kent Cambridge Stereoscan S4. Tissue for the light microscope was post fixed in 1% aqueous OsO4, dehydrated in acetone (4°C), embedded in Epon 812 and sectioned at ½u on a Sorvall MT 2 ultramicrotome. Cross and longitudinal sections were cut and stained with PAS, 0.5% toluidine blue and 1% azure II-methylene blue. Measurements were made from both SEM and Light micrographs.The tissue had two structurally distinct surfaces, an outer surface with small (225-500 µ) pubescent hairs (12/mm2), numerous stoma (77/mm2), and nectar glands(8/mm2); and an inner surface with large (784-1000 µ)stiff hairs(4/mm2), fewer stoma (46/mm2) and larger, more complex glands(16/mm2), presumably of a digestive nature.

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Functional anatomy of carnivorous traps

10.1093/oso/9780198779841.003.0013 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bartosz J. Płachno ◽

Lyudmila E. Muravnik

Keyword(s):

Current Knowledge ◽

Functional Anatomy ◽

Carnivorous Plant ◽

Carnivorous Plants ◽

New Type ◽

Functional Units

We review the current knowledge of trap anatomy of carnivorous plants, with a focus on the diversity and structure of the glands that are used to attract, capture, kill and digest their prey and finally to absorb nutrients from carcasses of prey. These glands have diverse forms. Regardless of their structure and origin, they have the same functional units, but there are differences in subcellular mechanisms and adaptations for carnivory. We propose a new type of carnivorous plant trap—a ‘fecal traps—which has unique physiology, morphology, and anatomy for attracting the animals that are the source of excrement and also to retain and use it.

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Estimating the exposure of carnivorous plants to rapid climatic change

10.1093/oso/9780198779841.003.0028 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Matthew C. Fitzpatrick ◽

Aaron M. Ellison

Keyword(s):

Climatic Change ◽

Habitat Suitability ◽

Species Distributions ◽

Dispersal Limitation ◽

Small Population ◽

Carnivorous Plant ◽

Carnivorous Plants ◽

Habitat Specialization ◽

Population Sizes ◽

Suitable Habitats

Climatic change likely will exacerbate current threats to carnivorous plants. However, estimating the severity of climatic change is challenged by the unique ecology of carnivorous plants, including habitat specialization, dispersal limitation, small ranges, and small population sizes. We discuss and apply methods for modeling species distributions to overcome these challenges and quantify the vulnerability of carnivorous plants to rapid climatic change. Results suggest that climatic change will reduce habitat suitability for most carnivorous plants. Models also project increases in habitat suitability for many species, but the extent to which these increases may offset habitat losses will depend on whether individuals can disperse to and establish in newly suitable habitats outside of their current distribution. Reducing existing stressors and protecting habitats where numerous carnivorous plant species occur may ameliorate impacts of climatic change on this unique group of plants.

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