Structural gradients and anisotropic hydraulic conductivity in the enigmatic eel traps of carnivorous corkscrew plants (Genliseaspp.)
Autor: | Cora Carmesin, Thomas Speck, Simon Poppinga, Andreas Fleischmann, Anna S. Westermeier, Steven Jansen, Matthias M. Klepsch |
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Rok vydání: | 2021 |
Předmět: |
Water flow
Lentibulariaceae water flow Prey capture Hydraulics Soil permeability Plant Science Hydraulic conductivity Animal-plant relationships Genetics plant-animal interaction Petrology Anisotropy Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics functional morphology biology Carnivorous Plant Carnivorous plants Fleischfressende Pflanzen Trap (plumbing) prey capture biology.organism_classification Glandular Pattern prey retention Lamiales trapping mechanism ddc:580 DDC 580 / Botanical sciences rhizophyll Wasserschlauchgewächse hydraulic conductivity Genlisea |
Zdroj: | American Journal of Botany. 108:2356-2370 |
ISSN: | 1537-2197 0002-9122 |
DOI: | 10.1002/ajb2.1779 |
Popis: | Premise Among the sophisticated trap types in carnivorous plants, the underground eel traps of corkskrew plants (Genlisea spp., Lentibulariaceae) are probably the least understood in terms of their functional principle. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of structural and hydraulic features of G. hispidula traps, contributing to the ongoing debate on whether these traps can actively generate water streams to promote prey capture. Methods Anatomical and hydraulic traits of detached traps, including inner trap diameters, chamber line element, hair length, glandular pattern, and hydraulic conductivity, were investigated quantitatively using light and electron microscopy, x‐ray microtomography, and hydraulic measurements. Results Hydraulic resistivity in the neck of the trap, from the trap mouth toward the vesicle (digestive chamber) was 10 times lower than in the opposite direction. The comparison of measured and theoretical flow rates suggests that the retrorse hairs inside trap necks also provide considerable resistance against movement of matter toward the vesicle. Hairs showed a gradient in length along the neck, with the shortest hairs near the vesicle. Co‐occurrence of quadrifid and bifid glands was limited to a small part of the neck, with quadrifids near the vesicle and bifids toward the trap mouth. Conclusions The combination of structural gradients with hydraulic anisotropy suggests the trap is a highly fine‐tuned system based on likely trade‐offs between efficient prey movement in the trap interior toward the vesicle, prey retention, and spatial digestion capacities and is not counter to the generation of water streams. publishedVersion |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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