Carnivory in Byblis and Roridula without the aid o

[Greg Allan]

This abstract looks very interesting: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez....6865659

It looks as if Roridula and all Byblis are true carnivores after all as they can digest phosphates.


Cheers,

Greg

 

[Est]

Very interesting! This is one of those hard to debate thing because before we can really argue whether something is a carnivore or not, we must define what makes a carnivore a carnivore.

 

[Clint]

if it obtains those phosphates from prey it catches, then IMO it is a carnivore. many plants have sticky trichomes that kill insects, such as the potato. the potato uses these hair for primrily defensive purposes. Byblis, given the habitat, the odor, etc, must posses some sort of carnivory (maybe to obtain phosphates, that count imo), and thus i don't think it's for defense like the potato, etc.

the next question is why does it catch prey at all? is it to obtain phosphates or is it to feed the little bugs that have a symbiotic relationship with them, and the phosphates are just a plus, where the real nutrients come from droppings?

 

[Greg Allan]

Hi,

I cannot really answer your questions, but this thread may be of interest to you: http://www.cpukforum.com/forum....5e5b1e0

I agree about Byblis liniflora certainly being a true carnivore- this is no longer merely wishful thinking!

Cheers,

Greg