Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (6)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by MIDGLEY, J. J.
Right arrow Articles by STOCK, W. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by MIDGLEY, J. J.
Right arrow Articles by STOCK, W. D.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by MIDGLEY, J. J.
Right arrow Articles by STOCK, W. D.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Annals of Botany 82: 387-388, 1998
© 1998 Annals of Botany Company

COMMUNICATION

Natural Abundance of {delta}15N Confirms Insectivorous Habit ofRoridula gorgonias, Despite it Having No Proteolytic Enzymes

J. J. MIDGLEY and W. D. STOCK

Botany Dept, University of Cape Town, P. Bag, Rondebosch, South Africa

February 5, 1998 ; March 20, 1998 . May 5, 1998 .

ABSTRACT

Natural abundance values of plant {delta}15N give an indication as to the source of nitrogen. In particular, carnivorous plants are expected to be relatively enriched due to trophic enrichment of their prey. Values of {delta}15N for adultRoridula gorgonias(mean+3.02{per thousand}) are 4–9{per thousand} greater than co-occurring non-carnivorous plant species and 5.24{per thousand} greater than juvenileR. gorgoniasplants. They are also 3.5–4.26{per thousand} greater than co-occurringDroseraspecies which, being sundews, are considered to be carnivorous. These high levels of {delta}15N in adult plants are best explained as being due to access to trophically enriched N from insects. As is the case for other carnivorous plants, leaves and stems ofR. gorgoniasare highly ultraviolet reflective and are therefore probably attractive to potential insect prey. This is further support for this plant species being insectivorous.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company

Nitrogen isotopes, carnivorous plants, insectivorous plant, ultraviolet,Roridula gorgoniasL.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
D. Voigt and S. Gorb
An insect trap as habitat: cohesion-failure mechanism prevents adhesion of Pameridea roridulae bugs to the sticky surface of the plant Roridula gorgonias
J. Exp. Biol., August 15, 2008; 211(16): 2647 - 2657.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Exp BotHome page
R. Parsons and R. J. Sunley
Nitrogen nutrition and the role of root-shoot nitrogen signalling particularly in symbiotic systems
J. Exp. Bot., March 1, 2001; 52(90001): 435 - 443.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.