Abstract Detail

Carnivorous Plants: New Horizons in Hungry Foliage

Rodenas, Yann [1], Ruch, Donald [1], Sheridan, Philip [2], Badger, Kemuel [3].

The Role of Anthocyaninas an Attractant in Sarracenialeucophylla Raf.

Anthocyanin pigment and physical pitcher characteristics were directly proportional to captured prey mass by Sarracenia leucophylla Raf. Few detailed experiments have been conducted to test the role of anthocyanin color on insect capture in Sarracenia. Though the role of predation by Sarracenia on insects has long been known and studied, the factors responsible for attraction and retention of prey have yet to be fully evaluated. I sampled S.leucophylla leaves from both red and anthocyanin-free (green) subjects,including measuring pitcher height, mouth width and weighing dried prey mass.There were no significant differences in dried prey mass between red and green phenotypes. Prey mass was positively correlated to pitcher height as well as mouth width. Differences in nectary counts and pitcher temperature were also not statistically significant between red and green groups. This study did not find support for anthocyanin as a prey attractant, and nectar may play a more important role in prey attraction.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Ball State University, Biology, Cooper Life Science Building, CL121, Muncie, IN, 47303, USA
2 - MEADOVIEW BIOLOGICAL RES ST, 8390 FREDERICKSBURG TNPK, WILLIAMSBURG, VA, 22580, USA
3 - BALL STATE UNIVERSITY, Department Of Biology, COOPER LIFE SCIENCE ON RIVERSIDE, MUNCIE, IN, 47306-0440, USA

Keywords:
Sarracenia
leucophylla
pitcher
plant.

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: C2
Location: Knox/Hyatt
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 11:15 AM
Number: C2005
Abstract ID:1070