A Historical Perspective of Bladderworts (Utricularia): Traps, Carnivory and Body Architecture.

Vitor F O Miranda,Rolf Rutishauser,Hugo Dolsan,Piotr Stolarczyk,Saura R Silva,Markus S Reut,Bartosz J Płachno

doi:10.3390/plants10122656

Abstract

The genus Utricularia includes around 250 species of carnivorous plants, commonly known as bladderworts. The generic name Utricularia was coined by Carolus Linnaeus in reference to the carnivorous organs (Utriculus in Latin) present in all species of the genus. Since the formal proposition by Linnaeus, many species of Utricularia were described, but only scarce information about the biology for most species is known. All Utricularia species are herbs with vegetative organs that do not follow traditional models of morphological classification. Since the formal description of Utricularia in the 18th century, the trap function has intrigued naturalists. Historically, the traps were regarded as floating organs, a common hypothesis that was maintained by different botanists. However, Charles Darwin was most likely the first naturalist to refute this idea, since even with the removal of all traps, the plants continued to float. More recently, due mainly to methodological advances, detailed studies on the trap function and mechanisms could be investigated. This review shows a historical perspective on Utricularia studies which focuses on the traps and body organization.

Highlights

IntroductionUtricularia species (bladderworts) are one of the most fascinating carnivorous plants, with tiny traps and seemingly no roots [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
Utricularia species are one of the most fascinating carnivorous plants, with tiny traps and seemingly no roots [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
The traps, known as utricles, are foliar structures shaped in small vesicles, which are active in prey capture and the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes for digesting small prey, usually arthropods [9,10,11,12,13,14]

Summary

Introduction

Utricularia species (bladderworts) are one of the most fascinating carnivorous plants, with tiny traps and seemingly no roots [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. The body organization of Utricularia does not present clearly defined boundaries between ordinary plant organs (stems and leaves, for instance), or recognizable roots [2], which make the organs’ recognition and classification a challenging work In this sense, further studies about ontogeny and molecular genetics may provide information and tools for new perspectives in plant dynamics (cf [8]). Adriaan van Rheede tot Draakenstein (1636–1691), the Governor of the Dutch possession in Malabar (currently Kerala State), compiled a comprehensive work on the flora of the Western Ghats, which involved several naturalists and collaborators In that treatise, he referred to Utricularia reticulata as “Nelipu” (Figure 1A), a Malayalam name that alludes to paddy fields where the species was found (Nellu = paddy; Pu = flower) [18]. America and to around 250, mainly due to new discoveries in tropical America and Australia [38].Australia [38]

TheThe “Nonconforming”

Findings

Utricularia Traps