Effect of Habitat Structure on Reproduction and Prey Capture of Pinguicula lutea a Rare Carnivorous Plant Samantha B. Primer, University of Illinois (UIUC) Brenda Molano-Flores, Illinois Natural History Survey Jenna Annis, Eastern Illinois University Janice Coons, Eastern Illinois University Mary Ann Feist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Habitat Modification TIME Habitat Modification Plant-Insect Interactions Plant-Insect Interactions Carnivorous Plants “This plant, commonly called Venus’ fly-trap…is one of the most wonderful in the world.” Carnivorous Plants “This plant, commonly called Venus’ fly-trap…is one of the most wonderful in the world.” …But So Much More Pinguicula lutea Family: Lentibulariaceae Common Name: Yellow Butterwort Status: Threatened in FL Habitat Structure Maintained Grassy Woody • Cover class determined (% cover) using Daubenmire method • At each site, 5 1m2 quadrats were established along alternating sides of 30m transect. • At each site, 10 buds were randomly marked, monitored for fruit development. Ellison graph instead Pinguicula spp. Characteristics anthers receptacle stigma nectar spur Ellison graph instead Pinguicula spp. Characteristics leaf margin sessile gland stalked gland Overarching Question Does habitat structure affect plant-insect interactions of Pinguicula lutea? Overarching Question Does habitat structure affect plant-insect interactions of Pinguicula lutea? Background Information: 1. Determine reproductive ecology 2. Survey arthropod abundance and prey capture Reproductive Ecology Previous Research Breeding System Pollinator Observations Pollen : Ovule Low High Reproductive Ecology Summary Floral Morphology Suggest Insect vector Breeding System Self-compatible, pollen vector required Pollinator Observations Insect vector on video Pollen to Ovule Ratio Consistent with facultative selfing Prey Community Previous Research Treat. 1876. The Harper’s Monthly. Gibson.1991. American Midland Naturalist. Prey Community Summary Prey Capture Main prey are Collembola and Diptera Collembola is most common Arthropod Availability Collembola and Diptera most abundant Some available Diptera too large trap Overarching Question Does habitat structure affect reproduction and prey capture of Pinguicula lutea? Background Information: 1. Determine reproductive ecology 2. Survey arthropod abundance and prey capture 1. Determine reproduction and prey capture in three habitat structures Cover class determined (% cover) At each site, 5 1m2 quadrats were established along alternating sides of 30m transect. • Reproduction – Fruit Set – Seed Set • Prey Capture Determining Structure • Prey Availability Vegetation Surveys • Total sites = 13 1m2 quadrats established Cover class determined (% cover) Quadrats = 5 Sites = 13 Cover class determined (% cover) At each site, 5 1m2 quadrats were established along alternating sides of 30m transect. • Reproduction – Fruit Set – Seed Set • Prey Capture Determining Structure • Prey Availability • Total sites = 13 Maintained Grassy Woody Reproduction Fruit Set Seed Set N = 10 Sites = 13 Fruit Set Final Fruit Set 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 Proportion of Fruits Formed Proportion maintained grassy woody ANOVA F = 0.57, P = 0.58 Seed Set Seed Set 0.95 0.9 0.85 0.8 0.75 maintained grassy woody Proportion of Seeds Set Proportion ANOVA: F = 1.54, p = 0.22 Habitat Structure on Reproduction Habitat structure does not affect reproductive success High fruit set High seed set Prey Community Assessment Prey Capture Arthropod Availability N = 5 Sites = 13 12 Arthropod Availability 10 8 12 Maintained 6 10 Grassy 4 8 Woody Maintained 2 6 Grassy 0 4 Woody Total Colembola Diptera Mean # Arthropods 2 0 Total Collembola Diptera ANOVA: F = 4.66, p = 0.01 F = 4.3, p = 0.02 F = 38.7,p <0.001 5 Prey Capture 4 3 5 Maintained 2 4 Grassy Woody 1 3 Maintained 2 Grassy 0 Woody Total 1 Collembola Diptera Mean # Arthropods 0 Total Collembola Diptera ANOVA: F = 26.0, p <0.001 F = 30.18, p <0.001 F = 16.45, p <0.001 Habitat Structure on Prey Capture Habitat structure does affect prey capture and availability Microclimatic Conditions Light Availability Temperature Humidity Habitat Structure on Prey Capture Habitat structure does affect prey capture and availability Microclimatic Conditions Light Availability Temperature Humidity Arthropods Trapping Mechanism Habitat Structure on Prey Capture Microclimate affecting insects Microclimate affecting trapping mechanism Temperature humidity moisture F Zamora.1995. Oikos. Habitat Structure on Prey Capture So I’ve established the patterns of these plant insect interactions In Summary…. • First comprehensive study of plant-insect interactions for SE Pinguicula spp. First comprehensive study of plant-insect interactions for SE Pinguicula spp. • In a fire dependent community these findings provide insight into how this species response to changes in habitat structure… i.e. What management or lack of management could mean for this species • Provides evidence that’s presents or absence of management does not seems to have an impact in terms of reproduction; however there are differences in terms of prey capture. In Summary…. First comprehensive study of plant-insect interactions for SE Pinguicula spp. Provides insight into how this species respond to • In a fire dependent community these findings provide insight into changeshow this in species habitat responds structure to changes in habitat structure… i.e. What management or lack of management could mean for this species • Provides evidence that’s presents or absence of management does not seems to have an impact in terms of reproduction; however there are differences in terms of prey capture. In Summary…. First comprehensive study of plant-insect interactions for SE Pinguicula spp. Provides insight into how this species responds to changes in habitat structure Presence/absence of management may impact prey capture. Acknowledgements COAUTHORS FIELD ASSISSTANTS/ HELP FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE Brenda Molano-Flores Caroline George Michael Jenkins Jenna Annis Jean Mendelkoch David Morse Janice Coons Kevin Christman Mary Ann Feist Melissa Primer US FISH AND WILDLIFE Bill Booth Vivian Negron-Ortiz BMF LAB Robin Kennedy Danielle Ruffatto BUFFER PRESERVE David N. Zaya TYNDALL AIRFORCE BASE Dylan Shoemaker Ian Pearse Wendy Jones Barry Townsend Charlie Helm Sandra Chafin ST. JOE COMPANY Allix North UNDERGRADUATE HELP Jim Moyers Lisa Duglecki Marialicia Chavez Max & Pat Prucell MASTER NATURALISTS Dave & Joy Peterson .