"Carnivory
Bud and scape of S. fimbriatum displaying the trichomes that can trap and kill insects.Members of the genus have been considered to be protocarnivorous (or subcarnivorous) in the past. They have glandular trichomes projecting from sepals, leaves, flower parts, and the scape. The tip of the trichome produces a sticky mucilage—a mixture of sugar polymers and water—that is capable of attracting and suffocating small insects.[5] Recent research has revealed that these trichomes produce digestive enzymes, specifically proteases, like other carnivorous plants. The plants are also able to absorb the nutrients created by the protease activity on the captured insects, making them carnivorous plants in the opinion of some researchers. Adding species of Stylidium to the list of plants that engage in carnivory would significantly increase the total number of known carnivorous plants.
The insects captured by the glandular trichomes are much too small to serve any role in pollination. It is unclear, however, whether these plants evolved the ability to trap and kill insects as an adaptation to low environmental nutrient availability or simply a defensive mechanism against insects damaging flower parts.
There is also a correlation between location of Stylidium species and proximity of known carnivorous species, like sundews (Drosera), bladderworts (Utricularia), the Albany pitcher plant (Cephalotus follicularis), and the rainbow plant (Byblis). While this alone does not prove that Stylidium species are themselves carnivorous, the hypothesis is that the association arose because Stylidium species and the known carnivorous plants obtain scarce nutrients using the same source, namely captured insects. Preliminary proof is given that the trapping mechanisms of two associated plants are the same (the tentacles of Byblis and Drosera), though this may be only a coincidence and further research must be done.[5]
As of 2007, Darnowski and his research team have published an abstract of a paper to be presented at the 2007 Botany and Plant Biology Joint Congress in Chicago. The presentation will explain their research into the carnivory of Stylidium including its ability to digest prey and absorb the resulting nutrients, two of the main criteria to be considered a carnivorous plant."
Mais no site:
http://zipcodezoo.com/Key/Stylidium_Genus.asp
|
