Commensal-enabled Carnivory Proboscidea/Ibicella

[Michael]

I just finished reading Barry's article on re-assessing the commensal-enabled carnivory in the Proboscidea and Ibicella. Very interesting! The photo's were great.

I love timing and coincidence--In my web wanderings this evening I came across photo's recently posted on CPUK of an insect (or is it a real bug? I don't know my critters well enough) preying on a smaller insect on an Ibicella lutea grown in someone's collection.

www.cpukforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=26085&st=0&gopid=212453&#entry212453

[Brian Barnes]

Very interesting indeed....I also enjoyed Barry's article in CPN as well. Now, where did i throw those Ibicella seeds! ;D
Bri.

[shartmeyer]

I absolutely agree, Barry's observations and photos lift Ibicella/Proboscidea now to the same level as Roridula with its well documented mutualism. Therefore these easy to grow genera will be much more in the focus of CP-enthusiasts in future. However, if your agenda is to grow the plants now inside your apartment or on your balcony (close to your living-room) I would recommend to try Proboscidea due to its much more acceptable smell. Ibicella is ok in your garden, but may cause some trouble with any less-CP-enthusiastic partners if grown inside ;D .

[BarryRice]

Hey Siggi,

I'm not sure I'd quite go that far in my statements. I think it would be important to observe this kind of activity in the native range of Ibicella.

Also, I'd like to see some specific adaptations on Ibicella that enable the absorption of nutrients. Roridula has cuticular gaps. Does Ibicella have something comparable?

Thanks for the link to that photograph of Cyrtopeltis feeding, in the UK Forum!!!!!

[shartmeyer]

Hey Barry,

sorry for my bad English, I think with cuticular gaps you mean the stomata (in German Spaltoeffnung) on the leaf-surface of plants, which enable them to breathe (CO2 in, O2 out). The stomata enable them generally also to absorb nutrients, that is why leaf-fertilization works. Why do you think that the Martiniaceae make an exception ?

The problem for absorption is in my opinion only the size of molecules. Insect protein is too large to be absorbed by stomata as well as by roots or CP-typical glands. So the prey must be broken down into smaller molecules either by enzymes, bacteria, or mutualistic bugs. So if the nutrients have been broken down, Roridula and Ibicella/Proboscidea should absorb them in the sam manner.

[BarryRice]

Hi Siggi,

No, by cuticular gaps I am not referring to stomata, which are of course specialized cells that you described.

The cuticle is the waxy coating on plants. This protects the plant from desiccation, etc. However, it was discovered that Roridula has breaks in the cuticle that would allow for the easy absorption of nutrients.

I believe the reference I am talking about is here:

Anderson, B. 2005, Adaptations to foliar absorption of faeces: a pathway in plant carnivory. Ann. Bot, 95: 757-761.

Cheers

Barry

[shartmeyer]

Hello Barry,
thanks a lot for this information! I don't know that work and unfortunately - as a private person - I have no access to that article if it's not on-line. I never saw a problem for Roridula and other plants to absorb (in water soluted) feaces with their stomata, and I have a little problem to imagine that any waxy coating would complicate the function of stomata, which are finally the door for nutrients. I am looking forward to learn more about that article.

[Michael]

Hello, I did a little web wandering at lunch today and think I found the article Barry referenced:

aob.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/95/5/757

[BarryRice]

Hi Michael,

Yes, exactly.

Barry

[shartmeyer]

Thanks a lot for your support Michael, and thanks to all who replied so fast by email. A good example how important this forum is to find and receive necessary information. I am looking forward to study all during the weekend.