Traps of carnivorous pitcher plants as a habitat: composition of the fluid, biodiversity and mutualistic activities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Carnivorous pitcher plants (CPPs) use cone-shaped leaves to trap animals for nutrient supply but are not able to kill all intruders of their traps. Numerous species, ranging from bacteria to vertrebrates, survive and propagate in the otherwise deadly traps. This paper reviews the literature on phytotelmata of CPPs.

Pitcher

Fluid as a Habitat The volumes of pitchers range from 0·2 mL to 1·5 L. In Nepenthes and Cephalotus, the fluid is secreted by the trap; the other genera collect rain water. The fluid is usually acidic, rich in O(2) and contains digestive enzymes. In some taxa, toxins or detergents are found, or the fluid is extremely viscous. In Heliamphora or Sarracenia, the fluid differs little from pure water.

Inquiline

Diversity Pitcher inquilines comp

SUBMITTER: Adlassnig W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3025736 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature