Tag

Pitcher Plants

All articles tagged with #pitcher plants

Decaploid pitcher plant genome uncovers subgenome dominance and novel gene evolution

Originally Published 2 years ago — by Nature.com

A study on the decaploid pitcher plant Nepenthes gracilis reveals that subgenome dominance plays a crucial role in shaping novel gene evolution. Polyploidy, the presence of multiple sets of chromosomes, has been linked to the diversification of angiosperms. The researchers found that one subgenome in Nepenthes gracilis exhibited higher expression levels and functional enrichment of genes involved in carnivory, while the other subgenome showed higher expression of genes related to flower development and sex determination. This subgenome dominance may have contributed to the adaptation and evolution of the pitcher plant's unique traits.

science science gene-evolution nepenthes-gracilis pitcher-plants polyploidy science subgenome-dominance

Geometry's Deadly Influence: How Carnivorous Pitcher Plants Capture Prey

Originally Published 2 years ago — by Phys.org

Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered that the shape, size, and geometry of carnivorous pitcher plants determine the type of prey they trap. By applying mathematical models to pitcher plants grown at the Botanic Garden, the team found that variations in the shape of the rim, called the peristome, have a profound effect on the plant's ability to capture prey. The study suggests that different peristome geometries are suited to capturing different types of insects, allowing pitcher plants to adapt to the various forms of prey available in their environments. Mathematical modeling provides valuable insights into the evolution and behavior of these fascinating plants, especially in remote and challenging natural habitats.

science science carnivorous-plants geometry mathematical-modeling pitcher-plants prey-capture science