How to catch more prey with less effective traps: explaining the evolution of temporarily inactive traps in carnivorous pitcher plants

Bauer, Ulrike; Federle, Walter; Seidel, Hannes; Grafe, T. Ulmar; Ioannou, Christos C.

doi:10.1098/rspb.2014.2675

Cited by 29 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…This could be caused by a loss of specialized structures in hybrids of parent species that target specific types of prey (Peng & Clarke, 2015). Further work should explore this hypothesis by investigating the fitness of hybrids of species with divergent nutrient acquisition strategies, for example N. hemsleyana and N. rafflesiana which rely on mutualistic bats (Grafe et al, 2011) and insects (Bauer et al, 2015b), respectively. Nepenthes rafflesiana, N. hemsleyana, N. ampullaria, N. bicalcarata and N. albomarginata all have overlapping distributional ranges and have evolved distinct specializations linked to nutrient sources.…”

Section: Adaptive Radiation and Speciationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Convergent and divergent evolution in carnivorous pitcher plant traps

2017

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Contents Summary1035I.Introduction1035II.Evolution of the pitcher1036III.Convergent evolution1036IV.Divergent evolution1038V.Adaptive radiation and speciation1040VI.Conclusions and perspectives1040Acknowledgements1040References1040 Summary The pitcher trap is a striking example of convergent evolution across unrelated carnivorous plant lineages. Convergent traits that have evolved across pitcher plant lineages are essential for trap function, suggesting that key selective pressures are in action. Recent studies have also revealed patterns of divergent evolution in functional pitcher morphology within genera. Adaptations to differences in local prey assemblages may drive such divergence and, ultimately, speciation. Here, we review recent research on convergent and divergent evolution in pitcher plant traps, with a focus on the genus Nepenthes, which we propose as a new model for research into adaptive radiation and speciation.

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Section: Adaptive Radiation and Speciationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Convergent and divergent evolution in carnivorous pitcher plant traps

2017

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“…Although the formation of groups frequently reduces predation risk in prey, there are numerous mechanisms by which predators have adapted to minimise the effects of, or even to take advantage of, social behaviour in prey. Aggregation can, in some circumstances, increase risk for prey species hunted by predators with the ability to consume multiple prey in a single encounter (Turner & Pitcher, 1986), such as filter feeders (Rieucau, Fernö, Ioannou, & Handegard, 2015;Rode et al, 2013), or those that set traps for collectively foraging prey (Bauer, Federle, Seidel, Grafe, & Ioannou, 2015). To alleviate the confusion effect, predators can reduce vigilance for their own predators, allowing increased attention for prey capture, but increasing their own risk of predation (Milinski, 1984), target the edges of prey groups where prey may be less dense (Duffield & Ioannou, 2017), or selectively target phenotypically odd individuals within the prey group, which stand out from the "background" of other, homogenous group members.…”

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The oddity effect drives prey choice but not necessarily attack time

2018

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The tendency of predators to preferentially attack phenotypically odd prey in groups (the oddity effect) is a clear example of how predator cognition can impact behaviour and morphology in prey. Through targeting phenotypically odd prey, predators are thought to avoid the cognitive constraints that delay and limit the success of attacks on homogenous prey groups (the confusion effect). In addition to influencing which prey a predator will attack, the confusion and oddity effects would also predict that attacks on odd prey can occur more rapidly than attacking the majority prey type, as odd prey are more easily targeted, but this prediction has yet to be tested. Here, we used kerri tetra fish, Inpaichthys kerri, presented with mixed phenotypic groups of Daphnia dyed red or black to investigate whether odd prey in groups are preferentially attacked and whether these attacks were faster than those on the majority prey type. In agreement with previous work, odd prey were targeted and attacked more often than expected from their frequency in the prey groups, regardless of whether the odd prey was red in a group of black prey or vice versa. However, no difference was found in the time taken to attack odd vs. majority prey items, contrary to our predictions. Our results suggest that the time taken to make an attack is determined by a wider range of factors or is subject to greater variance than the choice of which prey is selectively targeted in a group.

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“…varying significantly. The inconsistency of bumblebee captures over the years of this study could be a result of the effect of single or combined factors such as weather (Moret and Schmid-Hemplel 2000), a change in the abundance of bumblebees (Williams et al 2001) and/or the condition of the pitcher plants (Wolfe 1981; Newell and Nastase 1998;Bauer et al 2015). The Lower Hyde Heath site is surrounded by dry heath with abundant heather and gorse (Erica tetralix, Erica cinerea, Calluna vulgaris, Ulex minor and Ulex europaeus), high-quality habitat for pollinators (Ballantyne et al 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the predation of UK bumblebees (Apidae, Bombus spp.) by the invasive pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea: examining the effects of annual variation, seasonal variation, plant density and bumblebee gender

Franklin

Evans

Thornton

et al. 2016

Arthropod-Plant Interactions

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Invasive carnivorous plant species can impact the native invertebrate communities on which they prey. This article explores the predation of native UK bumblebees (Bombus spp.) by the invasive pitcher plant species Sarracenia purpurea and discusses the potential effect of S. purpurea on native bumblebees. Specifically, it evaluates whether the extent to which bumblebees are captured varies (i) over successive years, (ii) across June and July, (iii) with density of distribution of pitchers or (iv) with bumblebee gender. Pitcher contents were examined from an established population of Sarracenia purpurea growing in Dorset, UK. Results show that the total extent to which bumblebees were captured differed over the years 2012-2014 inclusive. A 1-year study in 2013 showed that more bumblebees were caught in July than in June and more bumblebees were captured when pitchers grew at high density. Results from 2013 also showed that more pitchers caught more than one bumblebee than would be expected based on a normal probability distribution and that this phenomenon affects female and male bumblebees equally. We discuss possible reasons for these results including that the bumblebees may be using S. purpurea as a resource. Further work is required to establish the exact underpinning mechanisms and the relative roles of plant and bumblebee behaviour within the relationship. Such interaction complexity may have consequences for consideration in invasive carnivorous plant management.

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How to catch more prey with less effective traps: explaining the evolution of temporarily inactive traps in carnivorous pitcher plants

Cited by 29 publications

References 40 publications

Convergent and divergent evolution in carnivorous pitcher plant traps

Convergent and divergent evolution in carnivorous pitcher plant traps

The oddity effect drives prey choice but not necessarily attack time

Exploring the predation of UK bumblebees (Apidae, Bombus spp.) by the invasive pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea: examining the effects of annual variation, seasonal variation, plant density and bumblebee gender

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