Form follows function: Morphological diversification and alternative trapping strategies in carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plants

U Bauer; Christofer J Clemente; T Renner; W Federle

doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02406.x

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Form follows function: Morphological diversification and alternative trapping strategies in carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plants

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Form follows function: Morphological diversification and alternative trapping strategies in carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plants

U Bauer, Christofer J Clemente, T Renner and W Federle

Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Vol.25(1), pp.90-102

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02406.x

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Abstract

carnivorous plants

comparative analysis

evolution

functional morphology

Nepenthes

peristome aquaplaning

trapping mechanism

wax crystals.

Carnivorous plants of the genus Nepenthes have evolved a striking diversity of pitcher traps that rely on specialized slippery surfaces for prey capture. With a comparative study of trap morphology, we show that Nepenthes pitcher plants have evolved specific adaptations for the use of either one of two distinct trapping mechanisms: slippery wax crystals on the inner pitcher wall and 'insect aquaplaning' on the wet upper rim (peristome). Species without wax crystals had wider peristomes with a longer inward slope. Ancestral state reconstructions identified wax crystal layers and narrow, symmetrical peristomes as ancestral, indicating that wax crystals have been reduced or lost multiple times independently. Our results complement recent reports of nutrient source specializations in Nepenthes and suggest that these specializations may have driven speciation and rapid diversification in this genus. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Evolutionary Biology © 2011 European Society For Evolutionary Biology.

Details

Title: Form follows function: Morphological diversification and alternative trapping strategies in carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plants
Authors: U Bauer (Author) - University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Christofer J Clemente (Author) - Harvard University, United States
T Renner (Author) - UC Berkley, United States
W Federle (Author) - University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Publication details: Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Vol.25(1), pp.90-102
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02406.x
ISSN: 1010-061X
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449312202621
Output Type: Journal article

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