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Kingsley W Dixon - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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an ecological perspective on Plant carnivory beyond bogs nutritional benefits of prey capture for the mediterranean Carnivorous Plant drosophyllum lusitanicum
Annals of Botany, 2019Co-Authors: Laura M Skates, Adam T Cross, Kingsley W Dixon, Maria Paniw, Fernando Ojeda, Jason Stevens, Gerhard GebauerAbstract:Background and aims Little is known about the evolutionary and ecological drivers of carnivory in Plants, particularly for those terrestrial species that do not occur in typical swamp or bog habitats. The Mediterranean endemic Drosophyllum lusitanicum (Drosophyllaceae) is one of very few terrestrial Carnivorous Plant species outside of Australia to occur in seasonally dry, fire-prone habitats, and is thus an ecological rarity. Here we assess the nutritional benefits of prey capture for D. lusitanicum under differing levels of soil fertility in situ. Methods We measured the total nitrogen and stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios of D. lusitanicum leaves, neighbouring non-Carnivorous Plant leaves, and groups of insect prey in three populations in southern Spain. We calculated trophic enrichment (e15N) and estimated the proportion of prey-derived nitrogen (%Nprey) in D. lusitanicum leaves, and related these factors to soil chemistry parameters measured at each site. Key results In all three populations studied, D. lusitanicum Plants were significantly isotopically enriched compared with neighbouring non-Carnivorous Plants. We estimated that D. lusitanicum gain ~36 %Nprey at the Puerto de Galiz site, ~54 %Nprey at the Sierra Carbonera site and ~75 %Nprey at the Montera del Torero site. Enrichment in N isotope (e15N) differed considerably among sites; however, it was not found to be significantly related to log10(soil N), log10(soil P) or log10(soil K). Conclusions Drosophyllum lusitanicum individuals gain a significant nutritional benefit from captured prey in their natural habitat, exhibiting proportions of prey-derived nitrogen that are similar to those recorded for Carnivorous Plants occurring in more mesic environments. This study adds to the growing body of literature confirming that carnivory is a highly beneficial nutritional strategy not only in mesic habitats but also in seasonally dry environments, and provides insights to inform conservation strategies for D. lusitanicum in situ.
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seed reproductive biology of the rare aquatic Carnivorous Plant aldrovanda vesiculosa droseraceae
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2016Co-Authors: Adam T Cross, Lubomír Adamec, Shane R Turner, Kingsley W Dixon, David J MerrittAbstract:Despite the unprecedented global decline in extant populations of Aldrovanda vesiculosa in the last century, little is known about the reproductive biology of this iconic aquatic Carnivorous Plant. This study aimed to investigate the role of seed-based reproduction in the ecology of A. vesiculosa, with particular focus on the interplay between the regulation of seed dormancy by temperature cues and the efficacy of exogenous ethylene gas to act as a germination stimulant, the desiccation capacity and long-term storage potential of seeds for conservation purposes. Sexual reproduction appears to be extremely limited in both natural and naturalized populations across three continents, with high variability in the success of flowering and seed set between sites and between seasons. Overall, flowering yielded few fertile fruit (6–19% of flowers producing fertile fruit) and seed viability was variable but generally low (29–88%). Fecundity appears to be influenced by seasonal climatic conditions and microhabitat characteristics. Aldrovanda vesiculosa possesses physiologically dormant seeds, with germination stimulated by exposure to ethylene gas (>90% germination) at 25 °C. Seeds appear sensitive to desiccation and sub-zero temperature storage, with no germination and markedly reduced embryo growth after storage of seeds for >1 month at 15 °C and 15% relative humidity or after short-term (24 h) storage at −18 °C. In the absence of significant conservation and restoration initiatives, the continuing decline of dystrophic freshwater wetland habitats globally leaves A. vesiculosa facing extinction. As the successful long-term storage of seeds appears unfeasible based on the approaches described in this study, other alternatives for germplasm conservation such as cryostorage of vegetative tissues or zygotic embryos must be considered for establishing long-term ex situ collections of critical germplasm.
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seed germination of the Carnivorous Plant byblis gigantea byblidaceae is cued by warm stratification and karrikinolide
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013Co-Authors: Adam T Cross, David J Merritt, Shane R Turner, Kingsley W DixonAbstract:Byblidaceae is one of the most poorly studied Carnivorous Plant families, with seed dormancy and germination biology remaining unresolved. This knowledge deficit has significant conservation and management implications, particularly as the most southerly distributed species, the south-west Western Australian endemic Byblis gigantea, is listed as critically endangered. This study examined the ecophysiology of seed dormancy and germination in B. gigantea in concert with a study of the population dynamics of a single Plant community. Mass seedling emergence and Plant establishment were observed after a wildfire in 2007 in the natural population, followed by a rapid decline in mature individuals (91%) over a 4-year monitoring period, with almost no inter-fire recruitment (1.4% of all emergence) observed. Seeds possessed a fully developed embryo, and the germination characteristics of fresh seeds classified them as showing physiological dormancy. Seed dormancy was partially alleviated by warm stratification (30 °C) for 8 weeks prior to incubation at 15 °C, with c. 40% germination observed. With the additional exposure of seeds to the germination-active chemical in smoke, karrikinolide, the germination of warm-stratified seeds increased to 89%. Seeds also displayed orthodox storage behaviour and appeared to be amenable to long-term seed banking for conservation. These results present the first observation of the stimulation of the germination of a Carnivorous Plant by a smoke-derived compound. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 172, 143–152.
Andrej Pavlovic - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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anaesthesia with diethyl ether impairs jasmonate signalling in the Carnivorous Plant venus flytrap dionaea muscipula
Annals of Botany, 2020Co-Authors: Andrej Pavlovic, Michaela Libiakova, Boris Bokor, Jana Jaksova, Ivan Petřik, Ondřej Novak, Frantisek BaluskaAbstract:BACKGROUND AND AIMS: General anaesthetics are compounds that induce loss of responsiveness to environmental stimuli in animals and humans. The primary site of action of general anaesthetics is the nervous system, where anaesthetics inhibit neuronal transmission. Although Plants do not have neurons, they generate electrical signals in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we investigated the effect of the general volatile anaesthetic diethyl ether on the ability to sense potential prey or herbivore attacks in the Carnivorous Plant Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). METHODS: We monitored trap movement, electrical signalling, phytohormone accumulation and gene expression in response to the mechanical stimulation of trigger hairs and wounding under diethyl ether treatment. KEY RESULTS: Diethyl ether completely inhibited the generation of action potentials and trap closing reactions, which were easily and rapidly restored when the anaesthetic was removed. Diethyl ether also inhibited the later response: jasmonic acid (JA) accumulation and expression of JA-responsive genes (cysteine protease dionain and type I chitinase). However, external application of JA bypassed the inhibited action potentials and restored gene expression under diethyl ether anaesthesia, indicating that downstream reactions from JA are not inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: The Venus flytrap cannot sense prey or a herbivore attack under diethyl ether treatment caused by inhibited action potentials, and the JA signalling pathway as a consequence.
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taste for protein chemical signal from prey stimulates enzyme secretion through jasmonate signalling in the Carnivorous Plant venus flytrap
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 2020Co-Authors: Jana Jaksova, Michaela Libiakova, Boris Bokor, Ondřej Novak, Ivan Petřik, Andrej PavlovicAbstract:Hunting cycle of the Carnivorous Plant Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula Ellis) is comprised of mechanism for rapid trap closure followed by slow hermetical sealing and activation of gene expression responsible for digestion of prey and nutrient uptake. In the present study, we focus on the late phase of Venus's flytrap hunting cycle when mechanical stimulation of the prey ceases and is replaced by chemical cues. We used two nitrogen-rich compounds (chitin and protein) in addition to mechanostimulation to investigate the electrical and jasmonate signalling responsible for induction of enzyme activities. Chemical stimulation by BSA protein and chitin did not induce any additional spontaneous action potentials (APs). However, chemical stimulation by protein induced the highest levels of jasmonic acid (JA) and its isoleucine conjugate (JA-Ile) as well as the expression of studied gene encoding a cysteine protease (dionain). Although chitin is probably the first chemical agent which is in direct contact with digestive glands, presence of protein in the secured trap mimics the presence of insect prey best.
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anaesthesia with diethyl ether impairs jasmonate signalling in the Carnivorous Plant venus flytrap dionaea muscipula
bioRxiv, 2019Co-Authors: Andrej Pavlovic, Michaela Libiakova, Boris Bokor, Jana Jaksova, Ivan Petřik, Ondřej Novak, Frantisek BaluskaAbstract:Summary General anaesthetics are compounds that induce loss of responsiveness to environmental stimuli in animals and humans. The primary site of general anaesthetic action is the nervous system, where anaesthetics inhibit neuronal transmission. Although Plants do not have neurons, they generate electrical signals in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we investigated the effect of the general volatile anaesthetic diethyl ether on the ability to sense potential prey or herbivore attacks in the Carnivorous Plant Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). We monitored trap movement, electrical signalling, phytohormone accumulation and gene expression in response to the mechanical stimulation of trigger hairs and wounding under diethyl ether treatment. Diethyl ether completely inhibited the generation of action potentials and trap closing reactions, which were easily and rapidly restored when the anaesthetic was removed. Diethyl ether also inhibited the later response: jasmonate (JA) accumulation and expression of JA-responsive genes. However, external application of JA bypassed the inhibited action potentials and restored gene expression under diethyl ether anaesthesia, indicating that downstream reactions from JA are not inhibited. Thus, the Venus flytrap cannot sense prey or a herbivore attack under diethyl ether treatment. This is an intriguing parallel to the effect of anaesthesia on animals and humans. Highlight Carnivorous Plant Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is unresponsive to insect prey or herbivore attack due to impaired electrical and jasmonate signalling under general anaesthesia induced by diethyl ether.
Luis Herreraestrella - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the metagenome of utricularia gibba s traps into the microbial input to a Carnivorous Plant
PLOS ONE, 2016Co-Authors: Luis David Alcaraz, Enrique Ibarralaclette, Shamayim Martinezsanchez, Ignacio Torres, Luis HerreraestrellaAbstract:The genome and transcriptome sequences of the aquatic, rootless, and Carnivorous Plant Utricularia gibba L. (Lentibulariaceae), were recently determined. Traps are necessary for U. gibba because they help the Plant to survive in nutrient-deprived environments. The U. gibba's traps (Ugt) are specialized structures that have been proposed to selectively filter microbial inhabitants. To determine whether the traps indeed have a microbiome that differs, in composition or abundance, from the microbiome in the surrounding environment, we used whole-genome shotgun (WGS) metagenomics to describe both the taxonomic and functional diversity of the Ugt microbiome. We collected U. gibba Plants from their natural habitat and directly sequenced the metagenome of the Ugt microbiome and its surrounding water. The total predicted number of species in the Ugt was more than 1,100. Using pan-genome fragment recruitment analysis, we were able to identify to the species level of some key Ugt players, such as Pseudomonas monteilii. Functional analysis of the Ugt metagenome suggests that the trap microbiome plays an important role in nutrient scavenging and assimilation while complementing the hydrolytic functions of the Plant.
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high gene family turnover rates and gene space adaptation in the compact genome of the Carnivorous Plant utricularia gibba
Molecular Biology and Evolution, 2015Co-Authors: Lorenzo Carreteropaulet, Tien-hao Chang, Pablo Librado, Enrique Ibarralaclette, Luis Herreraestrella, Julio Rozas, Victor A AlbertAbstract:Utricularia gibba is an aquatic Carnivorous Plant with highly specialized morphology, featuring fibrous floating networks of branches and leaf-like organs, no recognizable roots, and bladder traps that capture and digest prey. We recently described the compressed genome of U. gibba as sufficient to control the development and reproduction of a complex organism. We hypothesized intense deletion pressure as a mechanism whereby most noncoding DNA was deleted, despite evidence for three independent whole-genome duplications (WGDs). Here, we explore the impact of intense genome fractionation in the evolutionary dynamics of U. gibba's functional gene space. We analyze U. gibba gene family turnover by modeling gene gain/death rates under a maximum-likelihood statistical framework. In accord with our deletion pressure hypothesis, we show that the U. gibba gene death rate is significantly higher than those of four other eudicot species. Interestingly, the gene gain rate is also significantly higher, likely reflecting the occurrence of multiple WGDs and possibly also small-scale genome duplications. Gene ontology enrichment analyses of U. gibba-specific two-gene orthogroups, multigene orthogroups, and singletons highlight functions that may represent adaptations in an aquatic Carnivorous Plant. We further discuss two homeodomain transcription factor gene families (WOX and HDG/HDZIP-IV) showing conspicuous differential expansions and contractions in U. gibba. Our results 1) reconcile the compactness of the U. gibba genome with its accommodation of a typical number of genes for a Plant genome, and 2) highlight the role of high gene family turnover in the evolutionary diversification of U. gibba's functional gene space and adaptations to its unique lifestyle and highly specialized body plan.
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genome wide analysis of adaptive molecular evolution in the Carnivorous Plant utricularia gibba
Genome Biology and Evolution, 2015Co-Authors: Lorenzo Carreteropaulet, Tien-hao Chang, Pablo Librado, Enrique Ibarralaclette, Luis Herreraestrella, Julio Rozas, Victor A AlbertAbstract:The genome of the bladderwort Utricularia gibba provides an unparalleled opportunity to uncover the adaptive landscape of an aquatic Carnivorous Plant with unique phenotypic features such as absence of roots, development of water-filled suction bladders, and a highly ramified branching pattern. Despite its tiny size, the U. gibba genome accommodates approximately as many genes as other Plant genomes. To examine the relationship between the compactness of its genome and gene turnover, we compared the U. gibba genome with that of four other eudicot species, defining a total of 17,324 gene families (orthogroups). These families were further classified as either 1) lineage-specific expanded/contracted or 2) stable in size. The U. gibba-expanded families are generically related to three main phenotypic features: 1) trap physiology, 2) key Plant morphogenetic/developmental pathways, and 3) response to environmental stimuli, including adaptations to life in aquatic environments. Further scans for signatures of protein functional specialization permitted identification of seven candidate genes with amino acid changes putatively fixed by positive Darwinian selection in the U. gibba lineage. The Arabidopsis orthologs of these genes (AXR, UMAMIT41, IGS, TAR2, SOL1, DEG9, and DEG10) are involved in diverse Plant biological functions potentially relevant for U. gibba phenotypic diversification, including 1) auxin metabolism and signal transduction, 2) flowering induction and floral meristem transition, 3) root development, and 4) peptidases. Taken together, our results suggest numerous candidate genes and gene families as interesting targets for further experimental confirmation of their functional and adaptive roles in the U. gibba’s unique lifestyle and highly specialized body plan.
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transcriptomics and molecular evolutionary rate analysis of the bladderwort utricularia a Carnivorous Plant with a minimal genome
BMC Plant Biology, 2011Co-Authors: Enrique Ibarralaclette, Victor A Albert, Claudia A Pereztorres, Flor Zamudiohernandez, Maria De Jesus Ortegaestrada, Alfredo Herreraestrella, Luis HerreraestrellaAbstract:The Carnivorous Plant Utricularia gibba (bladderwort) is remarkable in having a minute genome, which at ca. 80 megabases is approximately half that of Arabidopsis. Bladderworts show an incredible diversity of forms surrounding a defined theme: tiny, bladder-like suction traps on terrestrial, epiphytic, or aquatic Plants with a diversity of unusual vegetative forms. Utricularia Plants, which are rootless, are also anomalous in physiological features (respiration and carbon distribution), and highly enhanced molecular evolutionary rates in chloroplast, mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal sequences. Despite great interest in the genus, no genomic resources exist for Utricularia, and the substitution rate increase has received limited study. Here we describe the sequencing and analysis of the Utricularia gibba transcriptome. Three different organs were surveyed, the traps, the vegetative shoot bodies, and the inflorescence stems. We also examined the bladderwort transcriptome under diverse stress conditions. We detail aspects of functional classification, tissue similarity, nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism, respiration, DNA repair, and detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Long contigs of plastid and mitochondrial genomes, as well as sequences for 100 individual nuclear genes, were compared with those of other Plants to better establish information on molecular evolutionary rates. The Utricularia transcriptome provides a detailed genomic window into processes occurring in a Carnivorous Plant. It contains a deep representation of the complex metabolic pathways that characterize a putative minimal Plant genome, permitting its use as a source of genomic information to explore the structural, functional, and evolutionary diversity of the genus. Vegetative shoots and traps are the most similar organs by functional classification of their transcriptome, the traps expressing hydrolytic enzymes for prey digestion that were previously thought to be encoded by bacteria. Supporting physiological data, global gene expression analysis shows that traps significantly over-express genes involved in respiration and that phosphate uptake might occur mainly in traps, whereas nitrogen uptake could in part take place in vegetative parts. Expression of DNA repair and ROS detoxification enzymes may be indicative of a response to increased respiration. Finally, evidence from the bladderwort transcriptome, direct measurement of ROS in situ, and cross-species comparisons of organellar genomes and multiple nuclear genes supports the hypothesis that increased nucleotide substitution rates throughout the Plant may be due to the mutagenic action of amplified ROS production.
Lubomír Adamec - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Oxford Scholarship Online - Introduction: what is a Carnivorous Plant?
Oxford Scholarship Online, 2018Co-Authors: Aaron M Ellison, Lubomír AdamecAbstract:The approximately 800 species of Carnivorous Plant together provide a classic example of convergent evolution. The known Carnivorous species and genera represent nine independent angiosperm lineages. They are united by a suite of five essential traits that together make up the ‘Carnivorous syndrome:’ (1) capturing or trapping prey in specialized. usually attractive, traps; (2) killing the captured prey; (3) digesting the prey; (4) absorption of metabolites (nutrients) from the killed and digested prey; and (5) use of these metabolites for Plant growth and development. Although many other ‘paraCarnivorous’ Plants have one or two of these traits, only Plants that have all five of them that function in a coordinated way can be considered true Carnivorous Plants.
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seed reproductive biology of the rare aquatic Carnivorous Plant aldrovanda vesiculosa droseraceae
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2016Co-Authors: Adam T Cross, Lubomír Adamec, Shane R Turner, Kingsley W Dixon, David J MerrittAbstract:Despite the unprecedented global decline in extant populations of Aldrovanda vesiculosa in the last century, little is known about the reproductive biology of this iconic aquatic Carnivorous Plant. This study aimed to investigate the role of seed-based reproduction in the ecology of A. vesiculosa, with particular focus on the interplay between the regulation of seed dormancy by temperature cues and the efficacy of exogenous ethylene gas to act as a germination stimulant, the desiccation capacity and long-term storage potential of seeds for conservation purposes. Sexual reproduction appears to be extremely limited in both natural and naturalized populations across three continents, with high variability in the success of flowering and seed set between sites and between seasons. Overall, flowering yielded few fertile fruit (6–19% of flowers producing fertile fruit) and seed viability was variable but generally low (29–88%). Fecundity appears to be influenced by seasonal climatic conditions and microhabitat characteristics. Aldrovanda vesiculosa possesses physiologically dormant seeds, with germination stimulated by exposure to ethylene gas (>90% germination) at 25 °C. Seeds appear sensitive to desiccation and sub-zero temperature storage, with no germination and markedly reduced embryo growth after storage of seeds for >1 month at 15 °C and 15% relative humidity or after short-term (24 h) storage at −18 °C. In the absence of significant conservation and restoration initiatives, the continuing decline of dystrophic freshwater wetland habitats globally leaves A. vesiculosa facing extinction. As the successful long-term storage of seeds appears unfeasible based on the approaches described in this study, other alternatives for germplasm conservation such as cryostorage of vegetative tissues or zygotic embryos must be considered for establishing long-term ex situ collections of critical germplasm.
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Cytochemical and ultrastructural aspects of aquatic Carnivorous Plant turions.
Protoplasma, 2014Co-Authors: Bartosz J. Płachno, Lubomír Adamec, Małgorzata Kozieradzka-kiszkurno, Piotr Świątek, Iwona KamińskaAbstract:Turions, which are modified shoot apices, are vegetative, dormant overwintering organs produced by perennial aquatic Plants. In this study, the turion cytochemistry and ultrastructure of Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Utricularia vulgaris and U. stygia were compared with particular emphasis placed on storage substances. These three aquatic, rootless Carnivorous Plant species were studied at the end of their winter dormancy. At this stage, the turions of all species had starch as their main storage material. In contrast with A. vesiculosa, Utricularia turions were rich in protein storage vacuoles, and proteins were also accumulated as crystalline inclusions in the nuclei. All examined species accumulated lipid droplets in cells of epidermal glands.
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Soil fertilization enhances growth of the Carnivorous Plant Genlisea violacea
Biologia, 2008Co-Authors: Lubomír AdamecAbstract:In a 116-d greenhouse growth experiment on a terrestrial Carnivorous Plant Genlisea violacea (Lentibulariaceae), mild fertilization of a peaty soil led to a 2.4 fold increase in total Plant biomass as compared to the controls. Tissue P and K content in fertilized Plants was significantly higher than that in the controls.
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Ecophysiological characterization of Carnivorous Plant roots: Oxygen fluxes, respiration, and water exudation
Biologia plantarum, 2005Co-Authors: Lubomír AdamecAbstract:Various ecophysiological investigations on Carnivorous Plants in wet soils are presented. Radial oxygen loss from roots of Droseraceae to an anoxic medium was relatively low 0.02 – 0.07 μmol(O2) m− 2 s−1 in the apical zone, while values of about one order of magnitude greater were found in both Sarracenia rubra roots and Genlisea violacea traps. Aerobic respiration rates were in the range of 1.6 − 5.6 μmol kg−1 (f.m.) s−1 for apical root segments of seven Carnivorous Plant species and 0.4 − 1.1 μmol kg−1 (f.m.) s−1 for Genlisea traps. The rate of anaerobic fermentation in roots of two Drosera species was only 5 − 14 % of the aerobic respiration. Neither 0.2 mM NaN3 nor 0.5 mM KCN influenced respiration rate of roots and traps. In all species, the proportion of cyanide-resistant respiration was high and amounted to 65 − 89 % of the total value. Mean rates of water exudation from excised roots of 12 species ranged between 0.4 − 336 mm 3 kg−1 (f.m.) s−1 with the highest values being found in the Droseraceae. Exudation from roots was insensitive to respiration inhibitors. No significant difference was found between exudation rates from roots growing in situ in anoxic soil and those kept in an aerated aquatic medium. Carnivorous Plant roots appear to be physiologically very active and well adapted to endure permanent soil anoxia.
Adam T Cross - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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an ecological perspective on Plant carnivory beyond bogs nutritional benefits of prey capture for the mediterranean Carnivorous Plant drosophyllum lusitanicum
Annals of Botany, 2019Co-Authors: Laura M Skates, Adam T Cross, Kingsley W Dixon, Maria Paniw, Fernando Ojeda, Jason Stevens, Gerhard GebauerAbstract:Background and aims Little is known about the evolutionary and ecological drivers of carnivory in Plants, particularly for those terrestrial species that do not occur in typical swamp or bog habitats. The Mediterranean endemic Drosophyllum lusitanicum (Drosophyllaceae) is one of very few terrestrial Carnivorous Plant species outside of Australia to occur in seasonally dry, fire-prone habitats, and is thus an ecological rarity. Here we assess the nutritional benefits of prey capture for D. lusitanicum under differing levels of soil fertility in situ. Methods We measured the total nitrogen and stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios of D. lusitanicum leaves, neighbouring non-Carnivorous Plant leaves, and groups of insect prey in three populations in southern Spain. We calculated trophic enrichment (e15N) and estimated the proportion of prey-derived nitrogen (%Nprey) in D. lusitanicum leaves, and related these factors to soil chemistry parameters measured at each site. Key results In all three populations studied, D. lusitanicum Plants were significantly isotopically enriched compared with neighbouring non-Carnivorous Plants. We estimated that D. lusitanicum gain ~36 %Nprey at the Puerto de Galiz site, ~54 %Nprey at the Sierra Carbonera site and ~75 %Nprey at the Montera del Torero site. Enrichment in N isotope (e15N) differed considerably among sites; however, it was not found to be significantly related to log10(soil N), log10(soil P) or log10(soil K). Conclusions Drosophyllum lusitanicum individuals gain a significant nutritional benefit from captured prey in their natural habitat, exhibiting proportions of prey-derived nitrogen that are similar to those recorded for Carnivorous Plants occurring in more mesic environments. This study adds to the growing body of literature confirming that carnivory is a highly beneficial nutritional strategy not only in mesic habitats but also in seasonally dry environments, and provides insights to inform conservation strategies for D. lusitanicum in situ.
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seed reproductive biology of the rare aquatic Carnivorous Plant aldrovanda vesiculosa droseraceae
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2016Co-Authors: Adam T Cross, Lubomír Adamec, Shane R Turner, Kingsley W Dixon, David J MerrittAbstract:Despite the unprecedented global decline in extant populations of Aldrovanda vesiculosa in the last century, little is known about the reproductive biology of this iconic aquatic Carnivorous Plant. This study aimed to investigate the role of seed-based reproduction in the ecology of A. vesiculosa, with particular focus on the interplay between the regulation of seed dormancy by temperature cues and the efficacy of exogenous ethylene gas to act as a germination stimulant, the desiccation capacity and long-term storage potential of seeds for conservation purposes. Sexual reproduction appears to be extremely limited in both natural and naturalized populations across three continents, with high variability in the success of flowering and seed set between sites and between seasons. Overall, flowering yielded few fertile fruit (6–19% of flowers producing fertile fruit) and seed viability was variable but generally low (29–88%). Fecundity appears to be influenced by seasonal climatic conditions and microhabitat characteristics. Aldrovanda vesiculosa possesses physiologically dormant seeds, with germination stimulated by exposure to ethylene gas (>90% germination) at 25 °C. Seeds appear sensitive to desiccation and sub-zero temperature storage, with no germination and markedly reduced embryo growth after storage of seeds for >1 month at 15 °C and 15% relative humidity or after short-term (24 h) storage at −18 °C. In the absence of significant conservation and restoration initiatives, the continuing decline of dystrophic freshwater wetland habitats globally leaves A. vesiculosa facing extinction. As the successful long-term storage of seeds appears unfeasible based on the approaches described in this study, other alternatives for germplasm conservation such as cryostorage of vegetative tissues or zygotic embryos must be considered for establishing long-term ex situ collections of critical germplasm.
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seed germination of the Carnivorous Plant byblis gigantea byblidaceae is cued by warm stratification and karrikinolide
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013Co-Authors: Adam T Cross, David J Merritt, Shane R Turner, Kingsley W DixonAbstract:Byblidaceae is one of the most poorly studied Carnivorous Plant families, with seed dormancy and germination biology remaining unresolved. This knowledge deficit has significant conservation and management implications, particularly as the most southerly distributed species, the south-west Western Australian endemic Byblis gigantea, is listed as critically endangered. This study examined the ecophysiology of seed dormancy and germination in B. gigantea in concert with a study of the population dynamics of a single Plant community. Mass seedling emergence and Plant establishment were observed after a wildfire in 2007 in the natural population, followed by a rapid decline in mature individuals (91%) over a 4-year monitoring period, with almost no inter-fire recruitment (1.4% of all emergence) observed. Seeds possessed a fully developed embryo, and the germination characteristics of fresh seeds classified them as showing physiological dormancy. Seed dormancy was partially alleviated by warm stratification (30 °C) for 8 weeks prior to incubation at 15 °C, with c. 40% germination observed. With the additional exposure of seeds to the germination-active chemical in smoke, karrikinolide, the germination of warm-stratified seeds increased to 89%. Seeds also displayed orthodox storage behaviour and appeared to be amenable to long-term seed banking for conservation. These results present the first observation of the stimulation of the germination of a Carnivorous Plant by a smoke-derived compound. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 172, 143–152.