Abstract
AimsThe carnivorous Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) has an anatomically simple and seemingly rootless vegetative body. It occupies a variety of wetlands and inland waters and shows a broad range of life forms. Here, we aimed to elucidate structural and functional traits in various hydric conditions. Furthermore, we intended to evaluate morpho-anatomical adaptations in correlation with life forms.MethodsMorpho-anatomical characteristics typical for hydrophytes of all life forms were investigated by light microscopy on 13 Utricularia taxa, compared to one Pinguicula and two Genlisea taxa, and assessed by multivariate analyses.ResultsVegetative structures of Utricularia and Genlisea showed reduced cortical, supporting, and vascular tissues. With increasing water table, leaves were thinner, and narrower or dissected, and submerged organs tended to contain chloroplasts in parenchymatic and epidermal cells. In some main stolons, an endodermis with Casparian strips was visible. Large gas chambers, including a novel ‘crescent’ and a special ‘hollow’ aerenchyma pattern, were found in amphibious to free-floating taxa.ConclusionsThe evolutionary transfer of carnivory from aerial to subterranean organs in Genlisea, and even more in Utricularia, coincides with a highly simplified anatomy, which is adapted to a broad variety of hydric conditions and compensates for structural innovations in the uptake of nutrients.
Highlights
Life forms of hydrophytesHydrophytes are plants living “in water or on a substrate that is saturated at a frequency and duration during the growing period sufficient to affect plant occurrence” (Tiner 2017)
The evolutionary transfer of carnivory from aerial to subterranean organs in Genlisea, and even more in Utricularia, coincides with a highly simplified anatomy, which is adapted to a broad variety of hydric conditions and compensates for structural innovations in the uptake of nutrients
The anatomy of leaves was investigated on P. gigantea, G. hispidula, U. volubilis, U. paulineae, U. uniflora, U. delicatula, and U. stygia
Summary
Hydrophytes are plants living “in water or on a substrate that is saturated at a frequency and duration during the growing period sufficient to affect plant occurrence” (Tiner 2017). The life forms (habits) of aquatic plants range from terrestrial but occasionally inundated taxa, with anchorage in the substrate and with leaves and reproductive organs exposed to the air, to unattached, free-floating taxa with all parts under water. Gradually different forms exist, contingent upon water regimes and adaptive responses of the plants to environmental changes such as flooding and unflooding, precipitation, or evaporation (cf Sculthorpe 1967; Braendle and Crawford 1999; Tiner 2017). Many hydrophytes have adapted to various habitats and show more than just one life or growth form (cf. Sculthorpe 1967; Cook 1999)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
