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Post by Apoplast on Jul 13, 2011 2:03:47 GMT
Hello all, I wanted to let everyone know I saw an interesting talk today by Dr. Douglas Darnowski at the Botanical conference on prey preferences in aquatic Utricularia species from eastern North America. As far as I can tell it is not yet published so I don't know how many details I can/should post, but essentially he showed that across the eastern U.S. all the Utricularia species are likely showing a preference for arthropod prey.
His findings are very cool and related to questions I've had about the axes of coexistence among co-occurring Utricularia species. His response to the first question asked after his presentation, suggested he may think the species are segregating along environmental gradients. This leaves me wondering to what extent they compete for prey species in the same volume of water. A good study of course only leads to more questions and Dr. Darnowski certainly has got a great start for understanding the community of Utricularia species from this region.
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Post by ICPS-bob on Jul 13, 2011 5:09:26 GMT
Doug has published several papers in CPN on the subject of prey preferences. Darnowski, Douglas W. and Andrew Koerber and Steven P. Moberley (2007) Prey preference in two species of North American bladderworts ( Utricularia) suitable for water gardens. Carniv. Pl. Newslett. 36(2):57-61 www.carnivorousplants.org/cpn/articles/CPNv36n2p57_61.pdfHe also has presented at several venues: Prey Preference in Aquatic Bladderworts ( Utricularia spp.; Lentibulariaceae) Across the Eastern North America. www.botanyconference.org/engine/search/index.php?func=detail&aid=71And, prey preferences of other CPs Chadwick, Zachary D. and Douglas D. Darnowski (2002) Observations on prey preference and other associations of Aldrovanda vesiculosa in a new culture system. Proc. 4th Intl. Carniv. Pl. Conf. pages 39-47. www.carnivorousplants.org/cpn/articles/ICPS2002confp39_47.pdfDarnowski, Douglas W., and Sarah Fritz (2010) Prey preference in Genlisea small crustaceans, not protozoa. Carniv. Pl. Newslett. 39(4):114-116 Available to ICPS members.
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Post by Apoplast on Jul 14, 2011 20:45:40 GMT
Thanks Bob! I wasn't familiar with all of his work. Still leaves me wondering about coexistence.
BTW - I also saw another talk looking at the genes involved in pitcher development. I can sum it up with one phrase: Cephalotus is weird.
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