Title:
Does the frequency of the bright red blotches of the Nepenthes Gracilis affect it’s ability to lure prey?
Introduction: The Nepenthes gracilis belongs to the Nepenthaceae family, a group of monotypic carnivorous plants who use their specialized pitcher-shaped leaves to capture their prey through passive pitfall traps (Bauer, Di Giusto, Skepper, Grafe, Federle, 2012). The adaptation of carnivory in plants is as a result of nutrient-poor habitats in which the fitness of the plants depends on the availability of animal prey in that habitat. Animal prey increases seed production, flower production, and biomass, which are all essential for plant fitness. As a result, carnivorous plants use many deceiving techniques and signals, one of which is visual signals, to lure animals (Foot, Rice, …show more content…
Some Nepenthes gracilis have red blotches on their outer pitcher that occur in varying frequencies on the plants. Although it is commonly known that the nectar secreted by the plant increases prey capture, it is unclear whether the frequency of red blotches on the pitcher of this specific species has the same effect. In relation to this, in 2008, a study was done by H. Martin Schaefer and Graeme D. Ruxton to determine if the bright red coloration of the Nepenthes ventricosa affected the plant’s ability to capture prey. The results of the study displayed that the red coloration in some carnivorous plants may be an adaptive trait, as Nepenthes ventricosa with bright red coloration captured more insects than plants that were green. To counteract this, a study was done in 2014 on another carnivorous plant, Drosera rotundifolia, by G. Foot, S. P. Rice, and J. Millett. It indicated that the Drosera rotundifo[lia’s red trap color did not serve as a way to attract prey. In light of these two results, the effect of the red blotches on the Nepenthes gracilis is unclear. I predict that
Does the frequency of the bright red blotches of the Nepenthes Gracilis affect it’s ability to lure prey?
Introduction: The Nepenthes gracilis belongs to the Nepenthaceae family, a group of monotypic carnivorous plants who use their specialized pitcher-shaped leaves to capture their prey through passive pitfall traps (Bauer, Di Giusto, Skepper, Grafe, Federle, 2012). The adaptation of carnivory in plants is as a result of nutrient-poor habitats in which the fitness of the plants depends on the availability of animal prey in that habitat. Animal prey increases seed production, flower production, and biomass, which are all essential for plant fitness. As a result, carnivorous plants use many deceiving techniques and signals, one of which is visual signals, to lure animals (Foot, Rice, …show more content…
Some Nepenthes gracilis have red blotches on their outer pitcher that occur in varying frequencies on the plants. Although it is commonly known that the nectar secreted by the plant increases prey capture, it is unclear whether the frequency of red blotches on the pitcher of this specific species has the same effect. In relation to this, in 2008, a study was done by H. Martin Schaefer and Graeme D. Ruxton to determine if the bright red coloration of the Nepenthes ventricosa affected the plant’s ability to capture prey. The results of the study displayed that the red coloration in some carnivorous plants may be an adaptive trait, as Nepenthes ventricosa with bright red coloration captured more insects than plants that were green. To counteract this, a study was done in 2014 on another carnivorous plant, Drosera rotundifolia, by G. Foot, S. P. Rice, and J. Millett. It indicated that the Drosera rotundifo[lia’s red trap color did not serve as a way to attract prey. In light of these two results, the effect of the red blotches on the Nepenthes gracilis is unclear. I predict that