DOCSLIB.ORG

Developing a Mechanical Model of a Suction Feeder

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Developing a Mechanical Model of a Suction Feeder ABSTRACT DEVELOPING A MECHANICAL MODEL OF A SUCTION FEEDER Suction feeding is a common feeding mode in macroscopic aquatic organisms and the dominant feeding mode in fish. In contrast, microscopic aquatic organisms do not use suction feeding. In fact, the smallest known suction feeders are fish larvae and bladderwort, a genus of carnivorous plants that catches zooplankton in underwater traps, both of which have gapes around 200 microns in diameter. Experimental and theoretical studies of suction feeding have shown that the ability to generate a steep spatial pressure gradient correlates strongly with capture success. Those studies also show that suction feeding is essentially an inertial process and therefore will be effective only if viscous fluid forces can be neglected, which is as long as the gape is large enough and the suction flow (i.e. the negative pressure gradient near the mouth) fast enough to minimize the relative effects of friction. Our current understanding of the hydrodynamics of suction feeding suggests that suction feeding is not effective in small organisms. In fact, both mathematical models of suction feeding, and experimental observations of larval fish suggest that their gape of 200 microns is near the lower size limit of suction feeding and that their suction flows generated by a 0.2 kPa pressure differential are too weak to ensure prey capture. In this project, we explored the lower size limit of suction feeding by characterizing the suction flows of bladderwort and salamanders and using the data collected to develop a robotic model of a suction feeder. Fatima Hidalgo May 2018 DEVELOPING A MECHANICAL MODEL OF A SUCTION FEEDER by Fatima Hidalgo A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology in the College of Science and Mathematics California State University, Fresno May 2018 APPROVED For the Department of Biology: We, the undersigned, certify that the thesis of the following student meets the required standards of scholarship, format, and style of the university and the student's graduate degree program for the awarding of the master's degree. Fatima Hidalgo Thesis Author Ulrike Müller (Chair) Biology Otto Berg Chemistry Stephen Deban University of South Florida, Integrative Biology For the University Graduate Committee: Dean, Division of Graduate Studies AUTHORIZATION FOR REPRODUCTION OF MASTER’S THESIS X I grant permission for the reproduction of this thesis in part or in its entirety without further authorization from me, on the condition that the person or agency requesting reproduction absorbs the cost and provides proper acknowledgment of authorship. Permission to reproduce this thesis in part or in its entirety must be obtained from me. Signature of thesis author: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my advisor and mentor Dr. Ulrike Müller for not letting me quit and knowing where I could focus for my project. I would also like to thank Dr. Otto Berg and Dr. Stephen Deban for the support given as committee members and during the research process. I would also like to thank my fellow lab mates; Ray Kabir, Nolan Avery, Andrea Aparicio Ramirez, Max Hall and Mohammed Shaik. I would also like to acknowledge the help provided by the Deban lab at University of South Florida, especially Dr. Charlotte Stinson. I would like to recognize the support of my family, friends and shipmates that have been by my side during this journey. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the funding from Bridges to Doctorate program, National Science Foundation, and Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholarship that has allowed me to present this research and supported me. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................ vii INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 Background ....................................................................................................... 1 Suction Feeding in Organisms .......................................................................... 1 Morphology of Suction Feeders ........................................................................ 3 Aims and Objectives ....................................................................................... 15 METHODS AND MATERIALS ........................................................................... 17 Husbandry ....................................................................................................... 17 Morphological Measurements of Lab Grown Bladderworts .......................... 17 Selecting Bladderwort for High Speed Filming .............................................. 18 High Speed Filming of Feeding Event ............................................................ 19 Data Analysis .................................................................................................. 20 Building and Operation of a Mechanical Suction Feeder ............................... 21 RESULTS ............................................................................................................... 25 Characterizing the Suction Feeding Morphology and Motion of Bladderwort and Salamanders ............................................................. 25 Characterizing the Suction Feeding Flows of Bladderwort and Salamander ........................................................................................... 28 Building a Mechanical Model of a Suction Feeder ........................................ 31 DISCUSSION ......................................................................................................... 33 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................... 38 APPENDIX: LITERATURE DATA ..................................................................... 44 LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1 Gape Diameters of Suction Feeders .................................................. 25 Table 2 Time to Peak Gape (TTPG) of Suction Feeders ................................ 27 Table 3 Flow Characterization of Suction Feeders ....................................... 28 Table 4 Scaling Parameters ........................................................................... 32 LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1. Images showing maximum hyobranchial expansion of aquatic feeding salamanders and their respective clear and stained hyobranchial apparatus. .................................................................................................. 5 Figure 2. Diagram of the hyobranchial apparatus of G. porphyriticus. ................. 6 Figure 3. From Poppinga et al., 2016 – Figure 1. “General bladderwort morphology, depicted exemplarily by U. vulgaris. .................................. 8 Figure 4. From Poppinga et al. (2016) – Figure 2. “Lateral view of different trap types, indicating the position of the trap entrance (te) and of the stalk (st) ..................................................................................................... 9 Figure 5. From Poppinga et al. 2016 – Figure 5. Morphology of the trap body ... 11 Figure 6. Developing flow through entrance of a pipe. ......................................... 14 Figure 7. Linear motor controller and power supplies. .......................................... 22 Figure 8. Linear motor with slider. ........................................................................ 23 Figure 9. Gantry crane schematic that was sent from Numatic engineering. ........ 23 Figure 10. Graph showing how body length scales to gape diameter. .................. 26 Figure 11. Graph showing how body length scales with time to peak gape for U. praelonga, Ambystoma sp., G. porphyriticus, and fish. ............... 27 Figure 12. Graph showing the scaling coefficient of U. praelonga, Ambystoma sp., and G. porphyriticus. .................................................... 29 Figure 13. Still shot from particle tracking video of G, porphyriticus showing path particles traveled. .............................................................. 29 Figure 14. Still shot of from particle tracking video of Ambystoma sp. showing path particles traveled ............................................................... 30 Figure 15. Still shot of U. praelonga showing path particles traveled .................. 30 Figure 16. Graph showing time to peak gape, peak flow, and gape vs body for bladderwort, fish at different life stages, and salamanders. ..... 37 INTRODUCTION Background Organisms have various modes of feeding. Using suction is a mode that various aquatic organisms use to get nutrients and energy. Suction feeding is done by larval fish, adult fish, larval salamanders, adult salamanders, and some carnivorous plants. Suction can be drawn by an organism in various ways. One of the ways is by having a difference between the internal pressure and the environmental pressure. The differential pressure is established through stored elastic energy. The other way that suction can occur is by expanding the internal volume, which can be done by changing the volume of the buccal area. This movement of the buccal area is produced by kinematic energy. Both of these methods exert forces upon the prey and cause them to be entrained with the fluid that is being sucked into the organism’s mouth. In this study we looked at suction feeding
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Aquatic Vascular Plants of New England, Station Bulletin, No.528
    University of New Hampshire University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository NHAES Bulletin New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station 4-1-1985 Aquatic vascular plants of New England, Station Bulletin, no.528 Crow, G. E. Hellquist, C. B. New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/agbulletin Recommended Citation Crow, G. E.; Hellquist, C. B.; and New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, "Aquatic vascular plants of New England, Station Bulletin, no.528" (1985). NHAES Bulletin. 489. https://scholars.unh.edu/agbulletin/489 This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in NHAES Bulletin by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BIO SCI tON BULLETIN 528 LIBRARY April, 1985 ezi quatic Vascular Plants of New England: Part 8. Lentibulariaceae by G. E. Crow and C. B. Hellquist NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03824 UmVERSITY OF NEV/ MAMP.SHJM LIBRARY ISSN: 0077-8338 BIO SCI > [ON BULLETIN 528 LIBRARY April, 1985 e.zi quatic Vascular Plants of New England: Part 8. Lentibulariaceae by G. E. Crow and C. B. Hellquist NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03824 UNtVERSITY or NEVv' MAMP.SHI.Ht LIBRARY ISSN: 0077-8338 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish to thank Drs. Robert K. Godfrey and George B. Rossbach for their helpful comments on the manuscript. We are also grateful to the curators of the following herbaria for use of their collections: BRU, CONN, CUW, GH, NHN, KIRI, MASS, MAINE, NASC, NCBS, NHA, NEBC, VT, YU.
    [Show full text]
  • Enzymatic Activities in Traps of Four Aquatic Species of the Carnivorous
    Research EnzymaticBlackwell Publishing Ltd. activities in traps of four aquatic species of the carnivorous genus Utricularia Dagmara Sirová1, Lubomír Adamec2 and Jaroslav Vrba1,3 1Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, BraniSovská 31, CZ−37005 Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic; 2Institute of Botany AS CR, Section of Plant Ecology, Dukelská 135, CZ−37982 Trebo˜, Czech Republic; 3Hydrobiological Institute AS CR, Na Sádkách 7, CZ−37005 Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic Summary Author for correspondence: • Here, enzymatic activity of five hydrolases was measured fluorometrically in the Lubomír Adamec fluid collected from traps of four aquatic Utricularia species and in the water in Tel: +420 384 721156 which the plants were cultured. Fax: +420 384 721156 • In empty traps, the highest activity was always exhibited by phosphatases (6.1– Email: [email protected] 29.8 µmol l−1 h−1) and β-glucosidases (1.35–2.95 µmol l−1 h−1), while the activities Received: 31 March 2003 of α-glucosidases, β-hexosaminidases and aminopeptidases were usually lower by Accepted: 14 May 2003 one or two orders of magnitude. Two days after addition of prey (Chydorus sp.), all doi: 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00834.x enzymatic activities in the traps noticeably decreased in Utricularia foliosa and U. australis but markedly increased in Utricularia vulgaris. • Phosphatase activity in the empty traps was 2–18 times higher than that in the culture water at the same pH of 4.7, but activities of the other trap enzymes were usually higher in the water. Correlative analyses did not show any clear relationship between these activities.
    [Show full text]
  • Respiration and Photosynthesis of Bladders and Leaves of Aquatic Utricularia Species
    Research Paper 765 Respiration and Photosynthesis of Bladders and Leaves of Aquatic Utricularia Species L. Adamec Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Section of Plant Ecology, Dukelská 135, 37982Trˇebonˇ, Czech Republic Received: September 28, 2005; Accepted: August 10, 2006 Abstract: In aquatic species of carnivorous Utricularia, about Knight, 1992; Friday, 1992; Méndez and Karlsson, 1999; Gui- 10–50% of the total biomass consists of bladders. Utricularia sande et al., 2000; Richards, 2001; Englund and Harms, 2003; bladders are physiologically very active organs though their Guisande et al., 2004; Ellison and Farnsworth, 2005). General- chlorophyll content may greatly be reduced. To specify ener- ly, a greater proportion of traps can increase total success in getic costs of carnivory, respiration (RD) and net photosyn- trapping prey and subsequent uptake of mineral and organic thetic rate (PN) were compared in bladders and leaves or shoot substances as a benefit of carnivory, while also presenting segments of six aquatic Utricularia species with differentiated greater costs. These costs are based on production of traps, (U. ochroleuca, U. intermedia, U. floridana) or non-differentiated their reduced photosynthetic rates, and on their metabolic shoots (U. vulgaris, U. australis, U. bremii) under optimum condi- maintenance (Givnish et al., 1984; Knight, 1992; Méndez and –2 –1 tions (208C, [CO2] 0.20 mM, 400 μmol m s PAR). RD of blad- Karlsson, 1999; Ellison and Farnsworth, 2005). Previous stud- –1 –1 ders of six Utricularia species (5.1–8.6 mmol kg FW h ) was ies have also shown that the proportion of trap biomass, when 75–200% greater, than that in leaves in carnivorous or photo- compared to the the total biomass, is under ecological control –1 –1 synthetic shoots (1.7–6.1 mmol kg FW h ).
    [Show full text]
  • Morphology and Anatomy of Three Common Everglades Utricularia Species; U
    Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations University Graduate School 6-25-2007 Morphology and anatomy of three common everglades utricularia species; U. Gibba, U. Cornuta, and U. Subulata Theresa A. Meis Chormanski Florida International University DOI: 10.25148/etd.FI15102723 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Meis Chormanski, Theresa A., "Morphology and anatomy of three common everglades utricularia species; U. Gibba, U. Cornuta, and U. Subulata" (2007). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2494. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2494 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the University Graduate School at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami, Florida MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY OF THREE COMMON EVERGLADES UTRICULAR/A SPECIES; U GIBBA, U CORNUTA, AND U SUBULATA A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE 111 BIOLOGY by Theresa A. Me is Chormanski 2007 To: Interim Dean Mark Szuchman College of Arts and Sciences This thesis, written by Theresa A. Meis Chormanski, and entitled Morphology and Anatomy of three common Everglades Utricularia species; U. gibba, U. cornuta, and U. subulata, having been approved in respect to style and intellectual content, is referred to you for judgment. We have read this thesis and recommend that it be approved David W. Lee Jack B. Fisher Jennifer H.
    [Show full text]
  • DCR Guide to Aquatic Plants in Massachusetts
    A GUIDE TO AQUATIC PLANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS Contacts: Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Lakes & Ponds Program www.mass.gov/lakesandponds Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection www.mass.gov/dep Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel www.northeastans.org Massachusetts Congress of Lakes & Ponds Associations (COLAP) www.macolap.org '-I... Printed on Recycled Paper 2016 A Guide to Aquatic Plants in Massachusetts Common Name Scientific Name Page No. Submerged Plants ........................................................................................................................9 Arrowhead .............................................................Sagittaria .......................................................................11 Bladderwort...........................................................Utricularia ......................................................................17 Common Bladderwort ...................................Utricularia vulgaris ........................................................18 Flatleaf Bladderwort ......................................Utricularia intermedia ....................................................18 Little Floating Bladderwort ............................Utricularia radiata .........................................................18 Purple Bladderwort........................................Utricularia purpurea.......................................................18 Burreed..................................................................Sparganium
    [Show full text]
  • (Utricularia), a Carnivorous Plant with a Minimal Genome Ibarra-Laclette Et Al
    Transcriptomics and molecular evolutionary rate analysis of the bladderwort (Utricularia), a carnivorous plant with a minimal genome Ibarra-Laclette et al. Ibarra-Laclette et al. BMC Plant Biology 2011, 11:101 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2229/11/101 (3 June 2011) Ibarra-Laclette et al. BMC Plant Biology 2011, 11:101 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2229/11/101 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Transcriptomics and molecular evolutionary rate analysis of the bladderwort (Utricularia), a carnivorous plant with a minimal genome Enrique Ibarra-Laclette1, Victor A Albert2, Claudia A Pérez-Torres1, Flor Zamudio-Hernández1, María de J Ortega-Estrada1, Alfredo Herrera-Estrella1* and Luis Herrera-Estrella1* Abstract Background: 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. Results: 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).
    [Show full text]
  • Recent Progress in Understanding the Evolution of Carnivorous Lentibulariaceae (Lamiales)
    748 Review Article Recent Progress in Understanding the Evolution of Carnivorous Lentibulariaceae (Lamiales) K. F. Müller1, T. Borsch1, L. Legendre2, S. Porembski3, and W. Barthlott1 1 Nees-Institut für Biodiversität der Pflanzen, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53111 Bonn, Germany 2 Laboratory of Plant Biology of Aromatic and Medicinal Herbs, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Jean Monnet, Rue Dr Paul Michelon, 42023 Saint Etienne, France 3 Institute of Biodiversity Research, Department of Botany, University of Rostock, Wismarsche Straße 8, 18051 Rostock, Germany Received: June 30, 3006; Accepted: October 9, 2006 Abstract: Carnivorous plants have emerged as model systems rosette, the margins of which can be rolled inwards (Fig. 1A). for addressing many ecological and evolutionary questions, The most elaborate treatment of Pinguicula is the monograph and since Lentibulariaceae comprise more than half of all known of Casper (1966), while a number of later-described species carnivorous species (325 spp.), they are of particular interest. were reviewed by Legendre (2000). A detailed phylogenetic Studies using various molecular markers have established that treatment, however, was not available until very recently (Cie- Lentibulariaceae and their three genera are monophyletic with slack et al., 2005). Pinguicula being sister to a Genlisea-Utricularia-clade, while the closest relatives of the family remain uncertain. Character states Genlisea (the corkscrew plants) is the smallest genus and has of the carnivorous syndrome in related proto-carnivorous lamia- Y-shaped, twisted subterrestrial eel traps used to attract and lean families apparently emerged independently. In Utricularia, trap soil protozoa (Barthlott et al., 1998) (Fig.1B). Systematic the terrestrial habit has been reconstructed as plesiomorphic, treatments for the African (Fischer et al., 2000) and South and an extension of subgenus Polypompholyx is warranted.
    [Show full text]
  • Carnivorous Plantsplants –– Classicclassic Perspectivesperspectives Andand Newnew Researchresearch
    CarnivorousCarnivorous plantsplants –– classicclassic perspectivesperspectives andand newnew researchresearch Barry Rice The Nature Conservancy, Davis, USA The ranks of known carnivorous plants have grown to approximately 600 species. We are learning that the relationships between these feeders and their prey are more complex, and perhaps gentler, than previously suspected. Unfortunately, these extraordinary life forms are becoming extinct before we can even document them! Carnivorous plants are able to do four things: they attract, false signals, the trigger hairs must be bent, not once, but trap, digest and absorb animal life forms. While these four two or more times in rapid succession. In effect, the plant abilities may seem remarkable in combination, they are, can count! When the trap first closes, the lobes fit together individually, quite common in the plant kingdom. All very loosely, the marginal spines interweaving to form a plants that produce flowers for the purpose of summoning botanical jail. Prey items that are too small to be worth pollinators are already skilled at attracting animals. Many digesting can quickly escape, and the trap will reopen the plants trap animals at least temporarily, usually for the next day. But, large prey remain trapped, and their purposes of pollination. Digestion may seem odd, but all panicked motions continue to stimulate the trigger hairs. plants produce enzymes that have digestive capabilities – This encourages the traps to seal completely, suffocating carnivorous plants have only relocated the site of enzy- the prey, and to release digestive enzymes. (Children who matic activity to some external pitcher or leaf surface. feed dead flies to their pet Venus flytraps are often disap- Finally, absorption of nutrients is something that all pointed when, the next day, the uninterested plants open plants do (or, at least, all that survive past the cotyledon their traps and reject the inanimate morsels – only live stage).
    [Show full text]
  • Rev Iss Web Nph 12790 203-1 22..28
    PŘÍRODOVĚDECKÁ FAKULTA Dizertační práce Adam Veleba Brno 2019 FACULTY OF SCIENCE Genome size and carnivory in plants Ph.D. Dissertation Adam Veleba Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Petr Bureš, Ph.D. Department of Botany and Zoology Brno 2019 Bibliografický záznam Autor: Mgr. Adam Veleba Přírodovědecká fakulta, Masarykova univerzita Ústav botaniky a zoologie Název práce: Velikost genomu u karnivorních rostlin Studijní program: Biologie Studijní obor: Botanika Školitel: doc. Mgr. Petr Bureš, Ph.D. Akademický rok: 2019/2020 Počet stran: 33 + 87 Klíčová slova: Velikost genomu, evoluce velikosti genomu, GC obsah, evoluce GC obsahu, masožravé rostliny, holokinetické chromozomy, holocentrické chromozomy, limitace živinami, miniaturizace genomu, životní forma, délka života, jednoletka, trvalka Bibliographic Entry Author: Mgr. Adam Veleba Faculty of Science, Masaryk University Department of Botany and Zoology Title of Thesis: Genome size and carnivory in plants Degree program: Biology Field of Study: Botany Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Petr Bureš, Ph.D. Academic Year: 2019/2020 Number of pages: 33+87 Keywords: Genome size, genome size evolution, GC content, GC content evolution, carnivorous plants, holokinetic chromosomes, holocentric chromosomes, nutrient limitation, genome miniaturization, life forms, life histories, annual, perennial Abstrakt Masožravé rostliny fascinovaly vědce od doby, kdy byla u nich masožravost rozpoznána. Nejprve především morfologie, anatomie a fyziologie jejich pastí, v posledních desetiletích jsou však terčem intenzivního výzkumu i jejich genomy. Ačkoli se masožravé rostliny vyvinuly nezávisle v různých kládech krytosemenných rostlin, je evoluce masožravosti obecně podmíněná především nedostatkem živin za současného dostatku vody a světla. Několik nezávislých kládů tak sdílí obecně definované podmínky, které mohou ovlivňovat i vlastnosti jejich genomů, což z masožravých rostlin dělá zajímavou skupinu pro různé srovnávací analýzy.
    [Show full text]
  • Eastern Purple Bladderwort (Utricularia Purpurea)
    Eastern purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea) For definitions of botanical terms, visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_botanical_terms. Eastern purple bladderwort is an aquatic carnivorous plant found in wetlands, freshwater swamps and shallow ponds and lakes throughout Florida. Its small but showy lavender flowers bloom year-round. This highly specialized plant feeds on insects and other small organisms caught in its bladder-like trap. Unsuspecting prey brush against tiny hairs that trigger a trapdoor. As the door closes, the organism and water are sucked into the bladder. With the bladder full and the door closed, the plant releases enzymes to digest the organism. The Photo by Alan Cressler, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center whole process takes less than a second and is one of the most sophisticated processes in the plant kingdom. Eastern purple bladderwort’s flowers are pale purple and two-lipped. The upper lip has a violet patch in its center, and the lower lip bears a white patch with a bright yellow center. Flowers grow to about ½ inch long and are born atop thick flower stalks that extend several inches above the water line. Leaves are finely divided, giving them a lacy appearance. They are arranged in whorls of 5 to 7 leaves and are generally submerged. Small ovoid bladders emerge from leaf tips. The plant has no roots. It spreads via a matrix of underwater stems. Seeds are born in minute dehiscent capsules. The genus name Utricularia is from the Latin utricularius, meaning “bagpiper” or “one who uses animal bladders.” The species epithet purpurea is from the Latin purpureus, meaning “purple.” There are 14 species of Utricularia native to Florida; most have yellow flowers, but four have purple.
    [Show full text]
  • Title: the Structure and Occurrence of a Velum in Utricularia Traps (Lentibulariaceae)
    Title: The Structure and Occurrence of a Velum in Utricularia Traps (Lentibulariaceae) Author: Bartosz J. Płachno, Piotr Świątek, Vitor F. O. Miranda, Piotr Stolarczyk Citation style: Płachno Bartosz J., Świątek Piotr, Miranda Vitor F. O., Stolarczyk Piotr. (2019). The Structure and Occurrence of a Velum in Utricularia Traps (Lentibulariaceae). “Frontiers in Plant Science” (Vol. 10 (2019), Art. No. 302), doi 10.3389/fpls.2019.00302 ORIGINAL RESEARCH published: 22 March 2019 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00302 The Structure and Occurrence of a Velum in Utricularia Traps (Lentibulariaceae) Bartosz J. Płachno1*, Piotr S´ wia˛ tek2, Vitor F. O. Miranda3 and Piotr Stolarczyk4 1 Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Cracow, Poland, 2 Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland, 3 Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, UNESP–Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil, 4 Unit of Botany and Plant Physiology, Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Cracow, Poland Bladderworts (Utricularia, Lentibulariaceae, Lamiales) are carnivorous plants that form small suction traps (bladders) for catching invertebrates. The velum is a cuticle structure Edited by: that is produced by specialized trichomes of the threshold pavement epithelium. It is Simon Poppinga, University of Freiburg, Germany believed that the velum together with the mucilage seals the free edge of the trap door Reviewed by: and that it is necessary for correct functioning of the trap. However, recently, some authors Lubomir Adamec, have questioned the occurrence of a velum in the traps of the Utricularia from the various Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, sections.
    [Show full text]
  • University of Pisa
    University of Pisa Research Doctorate in Biology XXVIII Cycle BIOSYSTEMATICS OF EUROPEAN SPECIES OF CARNIVOROUS GENUS UTRICULARIA (LAMIALES, ANGIOSPERMS) DOCTORAL THESIS PhD Student: Giovanni Astuti Supervisor: Lorenzo Peruzzi SSD BIO/02 Systematic Botany Academic Years 2012-2015 Pisa, January 2016 Copyright © The author 2016 1 In loving memory of my father Mario “…it’s just a ride…” Bill Hicks 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT 5 INTRODUCTION 6 The carnivorous plants 6 The family Lentibulariaceae 7 Lentibulariaceae as model organisms in genomic studies 9 The genus Utricularia 12 Distribution and habitats 12 Systematics and evolution 14 General morphology 16 Utricularia prey spectra 19 European species of Utricularia 20 Species description 23 Utricularia intermedia aggr. 23 Utricularia minor aggr. 30 Utricularia vulgaris aggr. 35 Taxonomic and Systematic problems 42 Objectives of the thesis 45 The use and utility of Geometric morphometrics 46 DNA Barcoding approach 48 MATERIAL & METHODS 51 General sampling 51 ‘Traditional’ morphometric analysis 51 Geometric morphometric analysis 53 Molecular analysis 56 DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing 56 DNA Barcoding approach 57 Splits and phylogenetic networks 58 Phylogenetic trees 59 RESULTS 62 3 ‘Traditional’ morphometric analysis 62 Geometric morphometric analysis 66 Shape 66 All species 66 Utricularia intermedia aggregate 70 Utricularia minor aggregate 70 Utricularia vulgaris aggregate 71 Molecular analysis 78 DNA Barcoding 78 Phylogenetic relationships 79 DISCUSSION 82 Morphometric analysis 82 Molecular analysis 85 CONCLUSIONS 88 IDENTIFICATION KEY 91 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 92 REFERENCES 93 APPENDIX I 108 APPENDIX II 110 PAPERS AND ABSTRACTS (last three years) 111 ACTIVITIES DONE ABROAD 114 4 ABSTRACT Utricularia is a genus of carnivorous plants catching its preys using small traps.
    [Show full text]