The relationship between prey capture and characteristics of the carnivorous pitcher plant, Sarracenia alata Wood

• Main Author: Green, Michelle Lynn
• Other Authors: John D Horner
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: Texas Christian University 2006
• Subjects: College of Science and Engineering
• Online Access: http://etd.tcu.edu/etdfiles/available/etd-05032006-082018/

We examined the relationship between pitcher characteristics and prey capture in three populations of the carnivorous plant <em>Sarracenia alata</em> Wood. The pitcher characteristics measured were nectar, coloration, and three indices of size. The indices of size (height, funnel diameter, and hood area) were highly correlated in all three populations. Pitcher size and mass of prey captured per day differed significantly among populations. Pitcher size was significantly positively related to total mass of prey capture per day, explaining 37-76% of the variation depending on the population. In one of the populations, nectar was also significantly related to prey capture per day. Further research is needed to determine whether the direct relationship between pitcher size and prey capture is due simply to a larger capture area in larger plants, a larger surface area of attractants such as nectar in larger plants, or both.