| Abstract Detail
Recent Topics Posters van Wely, Valeri [1], Schwallier, Rachel [1], van Vugt, Rogier [2], Gravendeel, Barbara [1]. Pitcher ontogeny of Nepenthes: defining developmental stages through morphology and microstructures. A functional and enigmatic feature of tropical pitcher plants involves their prey-capturing pitfall traps. These modified leaves grow from a swollen tip until finally opening to insatiable insect-alluring devises. Despite this intriguing pitcher development, little research has studied the ontogeny of these traps from a quantitative morphological perspective. In this study, we monitor the development of Nepenthes rafflesiana lower pitchers by tracking microstructures with scanning electron microscopy, traditional morphometrics and three-dimensional morphometrics using landmark analysis. With this data we were able to define four discrete developmental phases of pitcher development: Curvation, Elongation, Inflation and Maturation. Digestive glands were found to develop as early as the Curvation phase, while the formation of the waxy zone under the peristome began in the Inflation phase. This ontogenetic work will enable further research in pitcher morphology. We aim to expand this developmental work by monitoring the morphologically distinct upper pitchers of N. rafflesiana. In addition to this, we plan to investigate how shape of these dimorphic pitchers relates to their different diets. Broader Impacts:
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1 - Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Einsteinweg 2, Leiden, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
2 - Hortus botanicus, Rapenburg 73, Leiden, 2311 GJ Leiden, The Netherlands
Keywords:
Pitcher plants
morphometrics
ontogeny
Carnivorous plants.
Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P
Location: Grand Salon A - D/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT013
Abstract ID:1302
Candidate for Awards:None |
