Journal articles on the topic 'Pitcher plants Morphology'

An enigmatic feature of tropical pitcher plants belonging to the genus Nepenthes is their dimorphic prey-capturing pitfall traps. In many species, the conspicuously shaped upper and lower pitchers grow from a swollen leaf tendril tip until finally opening as insect-alluring devices. Few have studied the ontogeny of these traps from an anatomical and quantitative morphological perspective. We investigated whether the anatomy and development of lower and upper type pitchers of N. rafflesiana differ or overlap in terms of 3D geometric morphology and microstructure progression and presence. We hypothesized that there is an overlap in the initial, but not all, developmental stages of the two pitcher types and that one pitcher type is suspended in development. We identified four important morphological changes of pitcher ontogeny and defined these as curvation, elongation, inflation and maturation phases. Pitcher length indicated progress through developmental phases, and we propose to use it as a tool for indication of developmental stage. Microstructure development coincided with the developmental phases defined. Additionally, we discovered a new anatomical feature of extrafloral nectariferous peristomal glands between the inner peristome ridges of upper and lower pitchers being hollow and analyze the chemistry of the sugars on the outside of these glands. Ontogenetic shape analysis indicated that upper and lower pitcher types develop with similar phase progression but have no directly overlapping morphology. This means that upper pitchers are not a derived state from lower pitchers. Independent developmental programs evolved to produce distinctly shaped upper and lower pitchers in Nepenthes, likely to exploit different food sources.

Nepenthes gymnamphora (kantong semar, palaeotropic pitcher plant) is a carnivorous plant that spreads across the mountains of Java, one of which is on Mount Bismo, Dieng Mountains, Central Java. The prey composition N. gymnamphora here has not been studied before. The purpose of this study was to identify the composition of prey of N. gymnamphora in the Deroduwur Hiking Trail, Mount Bismo, Wonosobo, Central Java. The method used is the identification of prey in the pitcher that has been opened, both the upper and lower pitcher types. The main prey of N. gymnamphora are invertebrates from the ordo of Hymenoptera, Blattodea, Diptera, Araneae, and Diplura. Based on the prey composition analysis, there was a tendency of pitcher dimorphism, namely the upper pitcher of N. gymnamphora tended to contain flying invertebrates, while the lower pitcher tended to contain terrestrial invertebrates. This is influenced by the morphology of the pitcher, the upper pitcher tends to be lighter in color than the lower pitcher so that it is more attractive to fly invertebrates. In addition, the pitcher of N. gymnamphora provides a microhabitat for the larvae of Culicidae and Syrphidae. Keywords: carnivorous plants, Mount Bismo, Nepenthes gymnamphora, prey composition.

In vitro propagation of pitcher plants is still limited only using seeds, while the other in vitro methods using leaf explants such as embryogenesis, organogenesis, and callus culture has not been widely reported. The research aims to study the growth response of leaf explants in two species of pitcher plants (Nepenthes gracilis and Nepenthes reinwardtiana), which formed callus in several treatment media combinations. Leaf pieces were taken from a 4-month pitcher plant culture were grown on the treatment media, namely modified media of Murashige & Skoog with a half concentration (½ MS) added 2.4-Dichlorophenoxoxyacetate (2.4-D) with a concentration of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg L-1 and kinetin (0.5 mg L-1). The treatment was then stored in a dark environment to induce callus formation. The observation for 12 weeks showed that the time of callus formation in two species of pitcher plant observed was not significantly different. Both species of pitcher plants begin to form callus in the fourth week after treatment. None of the leaf explants were planted on the control medium without hormones formed callus. The best medium for callus induction in N. gracilis is ½ MS medium added with 2 mg L-1 2,4-D and 0.5 mg L-1 kinetin, with callus morphology brownish-white with friable texture. In comparison, the optimum callus media from leaf explant of N. reinwardtiana has not been obtained yet. Thus further research is still needed.

Nitrogen (N) deposition from anthropogenic sources can facilitate the encroachment of plant species with high-N demands into nutrient-poor ecosystems such as sphagnum bogs. Prior research has demonstrated that altered leaf morphology of the carnivorous pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea L. can serve as a biological indicator of increased bog nitrification. Our objective was to assess the effect of N addition on the root morphology of S. purpurea. To make this assessment, nine S. purpurea plants were grown in microcosms with their roots positioned on transparent acrylic tubes so that root growth could be monitored. Three replicate microcosms received either a high-N treatment (1.0 mg NH4-N·L−1), low-N treatment (0.1 mg NH4-N·L−1), or no additional N. After 7 weeks, we scanned the roots with WinRhizo Pro software, recorded leaf dimensions, and measured the dry mass of the roots and leaves. The high-N treatment had significantly greater root length, surface area, and dry biomass than the controls. In contrast, we found no difference in leaf dimensions or aboveground biomass among treatments. The results of this study support our hypothesis that S. purpurea increases root growth to uptake nutrients from the soil under conditions of increased N deposition.

Handayani T. 2017. Flower morphology, floral development and insect visitors to flowers of Nepenthes mirabilis. Biodiversitas 18: 1624-1631. Nepenthes mirabilis Druce is a commercial ornamental pitcher plant belonging to the Nepenthaceae. This species is often used as a parent plant in artificial crossbreeding. The plant is also used in traditional medicine, rope-making, handicraft, and bouquets. Flower development and pollen maturity are important factors in pitcher plant crossbreeding. However, information about its flowering is still lacking. This study aimed to record the flower morphology, flower development, and faunal visitors to male inflorescences of N. mirabilis planted in Bogor Botanic Gardens, West Java, Indonesia. Twelve racemes of flowers were taken as a sample for observing the process of inflorescence development, while ten flowers on each raceme were observed for investigating the flowering pattern of individual flowers. The morphology of flowers, the process of inflorescence development, the flowering pattern for individual flowers, the number of open flowers, the longevity of anthesis, and the appearance of insect (and/or other faunal) visitors to flowers were observed and recorded, using naked eyes, a hand lens, and a camera. Six phases of inflorescence development were identified: inflorescence bud phase, raceme phase, the opening of the raceme-protecting sheath phase, inflorescence-stalk and flowerstalk growth phase, open flower phase and pollen maturity phase. Four phases of flower development were observed: growth of flower bud, the opening of tepals, pollen maturation, and flower senescence. The pattern of anthesis within an inflorescence was acropetal. The number of flowers per raceme was 56 to 163. The peak duration of anthesis of a flower was 11 days (30.7% of flowers). The length of the raceme-stalks was 17-31 cm. The length of the racemes was 23-38 cm. The most common visitors to the flowers were stingless bees, Trigona apicalis.

In this paper I describe numerical calculations of the motion of particles in a disk about a solar-mass object perturbed by a planet on a circular orbit with mass greater than 0.001 of the stellar mass. A simple algorithm for simulating bulk viscosity is added to the ensemble of particles, and the response of the disk is followed for several planet orbital periods. A two-arm spiral structure forms near the inner resonance (2–1) and extends to the planetary orbit radius (corotation). In the same way for gaseous disks on a galactic scale perturbed by a weak rotating bar-like distortion, this is shown to be related to the appearance of two perpendicular families of periodic orbits near the resonance combined with dissipation which inhibits the crossing of streamlines. Spiral density enhancements result from the crowding of streamlines due to the gradual shift between families. The results, such as the dependence of pitch-angle on radius and the asymmetry of the spiral features, resemble those of sophisticated calculations that include more physical effects. The morphology of structure generated in this way clearly resembles that observed in objects with well-defined two-arm spirals, such as SAO 206462. This illustrates that the process of spiral formation via interaction with planets in such disks can be due to orbital motion in a perturbed Keplerian field combined with kinematic viscosity.

Abstract A diagnostic characteristic of stingrays in the family Dasyatidae is the presence of a defensive, partially serrated spine located on the tail. We assessed the contribution of caudal spine morphology on puncture and withdrawal performance from two congeneric, co-occurring stingrays, the Atlantic stingray, Hypanus sabinus, and the bluntnose stingray, Hypanus say. Spines exhibited a high degree of morphological variability. Stingray spines were serrated along 50.8% (H. sabinus) or 62.3% (H. say) of their length. Hypanus say had a greater number of serrations along each side of the spine (30.4) compared with H. sabinus (20.7) but the pitch did not differ between species. We quantified spine puncture and withdrawal forces using porcine skin as a model for human skin. Puncture and withdrawal forces did not differ significantly between species, or within H. say, but withdrawal force was greater than puncture force for H. sabinus. We incorporated micro-computed tomography scanning to quantify tissue mineral density and found that for both species, the shaft of the spine was more heavily mineralized than the base, and midway (50%) along the length of the spine was more heavily mineralized than the tip. The mineralization variability along the spine shaft may create a stiff structure that can fracture once embedded within the target tissue and act as an effective predator deterrent.

Abstract Determining how variation in morphology affects animal performance (and ultimately fitness) is key to understanding the complete process of evolutionary adaptation. Long tails have evolved many times in arboreal and semi-arboreal rodents; in deer mice, long tails have evolved repeatedly in populations occupying forested habitat even within a single species (Peromyscus maniculatus). Here, we use a combination of functional modeling, laboratory studies, and museum records to test hypotheses about the function of tail-length variation in deer mice. First, we use computational models, informed by museum records documenting natural variation in tail length, to test whether differences in tail morphology between forest and prairie subspecies can influence performance in behavioral contexts relevant for tail use. We find that the deer- mouse tail plays little role in statically adjusting center of mass or in correcting body pitch and yaw, but rather it can affect body roll during arboreal locomotion. In this context, we find that even intraspecific tail-length variation could result in substantial differences in how much body rotation results from equivalent tail motions (i.e., tail effectiveness), but the relationship between commonly-used metrics of tail-length variation and effectiveness is non-linear. We further test whether caudal vertebra length, number, and shape are associated with differences in how much the tail can bend to curve around narrow substrates (i.e., tail curvature) and find that, as predicted, the shape of the caudal vertebrae is associated with intervertebral bending angle across taxa. However, although forest and prairie mice typically differ in both the length and number of caudal vertebrae, we do not find evidence that this pattern is the result of a functional trade-off related to tail curvature. Together, these results highlight how even simple models can both generate and exclude hypotheses about the functional consequences of trait variation for organismal-level performance.

The pitch canker fungus, Fusarium circinatum (teleomorph Gibberella circinata), was isolated from a branch originating from rootstock of a Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) graft in a breeding orchard at 1,000m elevation in El Dorado County, California. We visited the orchard after the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry reported in November 2003 that a Douglas-fir scion (branch cutting) shipped from there in January—and subsequently grafted and held in a quarantine facility near Christchurch—was infected with the pitch canker fungus. We took samples throughout the orchard of any branches that appeared unhealthy. In addition, asymptomatic branches from the tree alleged to be the source of the New Zealand infestation were collected to assay for propagules of F. circinatum. Wash water from these branches was negative for the pathogen. Likewise, F. circinatum was not recovered from water washings of 20 branches collected randomly throughout the orchard. Fifteen branch samples collected from symptomatic Douglas-fir grafts were cultured on water agar and only one yielded a colony with an appearance consistent with F. circinatum. A single spore subculture of this isolate was confirmed as F. circinatum on the basis of colony morphology and the structure of the microconidiophores (1). The virulence of this isolate was evaluated by inoculating susceptible 2-year-old Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) seedlings with a toothpick to wound the main stem and insert potato dextrose agar colonized by the fungus. Twenty-four days later, pitching and yellow needles were evident at the site of inoculation, and removal of the bark revealed resin-soaked and discolored tissue. Concurrent with the pathogenicity test described above, a culture of the putative F. circinatum isolated in New Zealand was inoculated into Monterey pines with an identical outcome. The fungus was reisolated from lesions from both sets of inoculations and confirmed as F. circinatum based on morphological criteria. Isolates GL285 and GL286 are available from T. R. Gordon upon request. Prior to its discovery in the Sierra Nevada, pitch canker in California was known only from counties on or near the coast. Our report indicates the pathogen can survive and infect trees 110 km east of the previous most-inland site of infestation. It remains to be seen how extensively pitch canker will develop in the Sierra Nevada. Douglas-fir is only moderately susceptible to F. circinatum, which has not been observed to cause significant damage to this species. On the other hand, low-elevation Sierra Nevada pines including P. sabiniana, P. coulteri, and P. ponderosa are substantially more susceptible than are Douglas-fir in greenhouse tests (2). References: (1) T. R. Gordon et al. Mycol. Res. 100:850, 1996. (2) T. R. Gordon et al. Plant Dis. 85:1128, 2001.

Abstract Arboreal animals face numerous challenges when negotiating complex three-dimensional terrain. Directed aerial descent or gliding flight allows for rapid traversal of arboreal environments, but presents control challenges. Some animals, such as birds or gliding squirrels, have specialized structures to modulate aerodynamic forces while airborne. However, many arboreal animals do not possess these specializations but still control posture and orientation in mid-air. One of the largest inertial segments in lizards is their tail. Inertial reorientation can be used to attain postures appropriate for controlled aerial descent. Here, we discuss the role of tail inertia in a range of mid-air reorientation behaviors using experimental data from geckos in combination with mathematical and robotic models. Geckos can self-right in mid-air by tail rotation alone. Equilibrium glide behavior of geckos in a vertical wind tunnel show that they can steer toward a visual stimulus by using rapid, circular tail rotations to control pitch and yaw. Multiple coordinated tail responses appear to be required for the most effective terminal velocity gliding. A mathematical model allows us to explore the relationship between morphology and the capacity for inertial reorientation by conducting sensitivity analyses, and testing control approaches. Robotic models further define the limits of performance and generate new control hypotheses. Such comparative analysis allows predictions about the diversity of performance across lizard morphologies, relative limb proportions, and provides insights into the evolution of aerial behaviors.

Objectives: The concept of the “inverted pear” glenoid was introduced by Lo and Burkhart as an indicator of significant attritional glenoid bone loss that predisposes patients to recurrent instability and higher failure of arthroscopic Bankart repair. Coracoid transfer (Latarjet) is often performed in this setting, and evaluation of coracoid dimensions may improve patient-specific preoperative planning. The purpose of this study was to utilize computed tomography (CT) to determine a reproducible method for coracoid measurement and develop a preoperative planning algorithm for glenoid pear restoration using the traditional Latarjet technique or congruent arc modification (CAM). We hypothesized that classic Latarjet technique would sufficiently restore at least 100% of the glenoid diameter, up to 30% of anterior bone loss. We also hypothesized that most female patients would have a coracoid thickness <10 mm, which may preclude the use of the CAM due to a risk of graft fracture with screw insertion. Methods: Multiplanar reconstructed (MPR) shoulder CT scans were reviewed for patients aged 18-45. This age group was selected to capture an adult population that typically undergoes anterior shoulder stabilization surgery. Patients were excluded if CT scan demonstrated glenoid or humeral osteophyte formation, glenoid dysplasia, coracoid fracture, or tumor involving the glenoid or coracoid. All CT scans were obtained with the arm at the patient’s side, palm facing up, and the shoulder in external rotation. CT scans were performed by acquiring thin-slice data from the volumetric CT in the axial plane with a Discovery CT750 HD scanner (GE Healthcare) and the following scan parameters: 0.625-mm slice thickness, 0.313-mm slice spacing, reconstruction matrix of 512 × 512 pixels, reconstruction field of view of 40 to 45 cm, and pitch factor of 0.516. All measurements were performed using a PACS system (Sectra Workstation, Sectra AB, Linkoping, Sweden) by a board-certified musculoskeletal radiologist and two orthopaedic surgeons. The coracoid base was aligned in the coronal plane, and the long axis of the coracoid was aligned in the axial and sagittal planes (Figure 1). The coracoid length (proximal to distal) was measured on the modified axial view as the distance from the base to the tip along the long axis. The width (medial to lateral) and thickness (anterior to posterior) were measured on the modified coronal view. Coracoid dimensions were compared by sex and correlated with patient height and body mass index (BMI). Best-fit circle technique was used to quantify glenoid diameter and bone loss required for complete graft apposition of a 20- or 25-mm long coracoid graft to the glenoid neck. The proportion of glenoid diameter able to be restored using the classic Latarjet technique and the CAM was calculated and compared. The proportion of patients in which at least 20%, 30%, 35% or 40% of glenoid diameter could be restored using the classic Latarjet technique and the CAM was determined and compared. Based on these findings, a treatment algorithm was proposed considering glenoid bone loss, glenoid diameter and coracoid dimensions. Results: A total of 120 CT scans were reviewed, and three were excluded (two with osteophytes and one with severe glenoid dysplasia). Measurements were performed and dimensions recorded on 117 CT scans (69.2% males). Coracoid dimensions varied considerably among patients (length: 17.5-31.8mm, width: 9.1-20.5mm, thickness: 6.1-15.7mm, Table 1). There was a strong positive correlation between patient height and coracoid length (r=0.629, p=0.000) and a moderate positive correlation between patient height and coracoid thickness (r=0.408, p=0.000). Mean coracoid and glenoid dimensions were larger in males than females (all p<0.0001). When comparing males and females, a higher proportion of males had a coracoid thickness >10mm (84.0% vs 27.8%, p<0.00001). While there was no difference in the proportion of males compared to females with coracoid length >20 mm (96.3% vs 94.4%, p=0.65), a higher proportion of males had coracoid length >25mm (48.2% vs 13.9%, p=0.0009). Compared to the classic Latarjet technique, the CAM was able to restore more native glenoid diameter in both males and females (Males: 54.1±6.6% vs 39.1±4.9%, p<0.0001; Females: 54.7±7.4% vs 36.2±4.3%, p<0.0001, Table 2). When comparing techniques, there was no difference in the proportion of patients in which at least 30% glenoid bone loss could be fully restored (Males: 98.8% vs 97.5%, p=1.0; Females: 100% vs 91.7%, p=0.24). However, the CAM was able to restore at least 35% and at least 40% glenoid bone loss in a higher proportion of males (98.8% vs 79% and 98.8% vs 40.7%, respectively, both p<0.0001) and females (100% vs 61.1% and 100% vs 16.7%, respectively, both p=0.00001). The amount of glenoid bone loss required for complete coracoid graft apposition of a 20mm or a 25mm graft was significantly different when comparing males and females, with less bone loss required for males (14.4±2.8% vs 20.7±5.5% and 26.8±7.5% vs 41.4±9.4%, respectively, both p<0.0001). Intra- and inter-rater reliability was excellent for all coracoid dimensions (ICC≥0.95±0.050 for each). Conclusions: We describe a reliable method of measuring coracoid dimensions for preoperative planning of glenoid pear restoration. The traditional Latarjet technique reliably restores the glenoid AP diameter with bone loss of up to 30%. The majority of females have coracoid thickness <10mm which may increase the risk of graft fracture when using CAM. The decision to utilize the classic Latarjet technique or CAM considers each individual’s glenoid and coracoid dimensions with a goal of achieving at least 100% restoration of native glenoid diameter (Figure 2). Alternative techniques may be considered if native glenoid pear restoration cannot be achieved with the Latarjet. [Table: see text][Table: see text]

Abstract. Handayani T, Hadiah JT. 2019. Pitcher morphology and pitcher coloring of Nepenthes mirabilis Druce. from East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 2824-2832. The shape and color of Nepenthes pitchers play an important role in attracting preys. The terrestrial and aerial pitchers have different shapes in accordance with different preys they trap. This species has high potential as an ornamental plant due to the pitcher’s varied sizes, shapes and colors, which information of the wild species is inadequate. This study aimed to identify the morphological characters, size, and colors of pitcher and its parts (tendril, pitcher body, lid, peristome, wing) of N. mirabilis growing in the wild in East Kalimantan. Samples for morphological observation comprised 90 terrestrial pitchers and 90 aerial pitchers, and samples for pitcher coloring observation comprised 650 terrestrial pitchers and 650 aerial pitchers. The results showed that the shape of terrestrial pitchers were narrowly ovoid in the lower part and cylindrical toward the top. The aerial pitchers were infundibular in the lower part, narrowly ovoid in the middle then cylindrical toward the top. The highest percentage of terrestrial pitcher tendril’s color was green and the aerial pitcher tendril’s was reddish green. Most pitcher body’s color was green in the lower part and green with purple stripes in the upper part on both terrestrial and aerial pitchers (21.07% and 16.15%, respectively). The wing color of both pitchers was mostly purplish dark red which possessed the highest percentages (30.31% and 40.64%, respectively). The dominant peristome color of terrestrial pitcher was brownish dark red (26.15%), whereas that of the aerial pitcher was purplish dark red (44.19%). The lid color of both terrestrial and aerial pitchers was mostly purplish dark red (38.92% and 31.39% respectively). Bright color was mostly found on the peristome and lid. It was found on 85.38% of terrestrial pitcher’s peristome, 95.22% of terrestrial pitcher’s lid, 81.43% of aerial pitcher’s peristome, and 98.77% of aerial pitcher’s lid. The presence of green color on tendril, pitcher and its parts indicates its function in photosynthesis, whereas the presence of bright color shows its role in capturing preys.

Plant carnivory is often manifested as dramatic changes in the structure and morphology of the leaf. These changes appear to begin early in leaf development. For example, the development of the Sarracenia purpurea leaf primordium is associated with the formation of an adaxial ridge, whose growth along with that of the leaf margin resulted in a hollow structure that later developed into a pitcher. In Nepenthes khasiana, pitcher formation occurs during the initial stages of leaf development, although this has not been shown at the primordial stage. The formation of the Utricularia gibba trap resulted from the growth of the dome-shaped primordium in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Recent research has begun to unfold the genetic basis of the development of the carnivorous leaf. We review these findings and discuss them in relation to the flat-shaped leaves of the model plant Arabidopsis.

During the digitization process of a physical object, the operator has to choose an acquisition pitch. Currently, 3D scanners employ constant pitches. For this reason the grid dimension choice normally represents a compromise between the scanner performances and specific applications, and the resolution and accuracy of the specific application. This is a critical problem because, normally, the object shape is assumed as a combination of different geometries with different morphological complexities. As a consequence of this, while some basic geometries (i.e., planes, cylinders, and cones) require only few points to describe their behavior, others need much more information. Normally, this problem is solved with a significant operator involvement. Starting from the object morphology and from the 3D scanner performances, the author finds the optimal acquisition strategy with an iterative and refining process made of many attempts. This approach does not guarantee an efficient acquisition of the object, because it depends strongly on the subjective ability of the operator involved in the acquisition. Many approaches propose points cloud management methodologies that introduce or erase punctual information, working with statistical hypothesis after the acquisition phase. This research work proposes an operative strategy, which starts from, first, a raw point acquisition, then it partitions the object surface, identifying different morphological zone boundaries (shape changes). As a consequence, some of the identified regions will be redigitized with deeper scansions in order to reach a more precise morphological information. The proposed partitioning methodology has been developed to directly interact with the 3D scanner. It integrates the use of a global morphological descriptor (Gaussian curvature), managed in order to be applicable in a discrete context (points cloud), with the concept of the 3D scanner measuring uncertainty. This integration has been proposed in order to provide an automatic procedure and a “curvature variation threshold,” able to identify real significant shape changes. The proposed methodology will neglect those regions where the shape changes are only correlated with the uncontrolled noise introduced by the specific 3D scanner performances.