pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Function of epidermal surfaces in the trapping efficiency of Nepenthes alata pitchers - PubMed

Function of epidermal surfaces in the trapping efficiency of Nepenthes alata pitchers

Laurence Gaume et al. New Phytol. 2002 Dec.

Free article

Abstract

• Several epidermal microstructures characterize surfaces of pitcher plants and are presumably involved in their trapping function. Here we report the effects of Nepenthes alata surfaces on insect locomotion and trapping efficiency. • The architectural designs of pitcher surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. Two insect species - fruitfly (Drosophila melanogaster) and ant (Iridomyrmex humilis) - were tested for their ability to remain and walk on them. The relative contributions of various epidermal structures to trapping ability were quantified. • Pitchers were very effective traps for both insect species. They were slightly more efficient in capturing the ants, but slightly more effective in retaining captured flies. Trapping efficiency was attributed to the combined effects of several surfaces displaying different functions. The waxy zone played a key role in the slippery syndrome: in addition to the wax itself, the subjacent layer of convex lunate cells interfered considerably with insect locomotion. The unsubmersed glandular zone displayed an important retentive effect and secretions of the digestive glands are suspected to be adhesive. • Pad performances of the hairy and smooth system of attachment are discussed to explain the differences between the two insect species. This study aims to encourage biomechanical studies of plant-insect surface mechanisms.

Keywords: Nepenthes; SEM; adhesive pads; attachment; carnivorous plant; locomotion; plant-insect interface; slippery surfaces.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Adams RM, Smith GW. 1977. An S.E.M. survey of the five carnivorous pitcher plant genera. American Journal of Botany 64: 265 - 272.
    1. Albert VA, Williams SE, Case MW. 1992. Carnivorous plants: phylogeny and structural evolution. Science 257: 1491 - 1495. - PubMed
    1. Barthlott W, Neinhuis C. 1997. Purity of the sacred lotus, or escape from contamination in biological surfaces. Planta 202: 1 - 8.
    1. Beutel RG, Gorb SN. 2001. Ultrastructure of attachment specializations of hexapods (Arthropoda): evolutionary patterns inferred from a revised ordinal phylogeny. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research 39: 177 - 207.
    1. Darwin C. 1875. Insectivorous plants. London, UK: John Murray.

LinkOut - more resources