Facing the Green Threat: A Water Flea's Defenses against a Carnivorous Plant.

Every ecosystem shows multiple levels of species interactions, which are often difficult to isolate and to classify regarding their specific nature. For most of the observed interactions, it comes down to either competition or consumption. The modes of consumption are various and defined by the nature of the consumed organism, e.

Structural gradients and anisotropic hydraulic conductivity in the enigmatic eel traps of carnivorous corkscrew plants (Genlisea spp.).

Premise: Among the sophisticated trap types in carnivorous plants, the underground eel traps of corkskrew plants (Genlisea spp., Lentibulariaceae) are probably the least understood in terms of their functional principle. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of structural and hydraulic features of G.

Functional-morphological analyses of the delicate snap-traps of the aquatic carnivorous waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa) with 2D and 3D imaging techniques.

Background And Aims: The endangered aquatic carnivorous waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa) catches prey with 3-5-mm-long underwater snap-traps. Trapping lasts 10-20 ms, which is 10-fold faster than in its famous sister, the terrestrial Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). After successful capture, the trap narrows further and forms a 'stomach' for the digestion of prey, the so-called 'sickle-shaped cavity'.

Snapping mechanics of the Venus flytrap ().

The mechanical principles for fast snapping in the iconic Venus flytrap are not yet fully understood. In this study, we obtained time-resolved strain distributions via three-dimensional digital image correlation (DIC) for the outer and inner trap-lobe surfaces throughout the closing motion. In combination with finite element models, the various possible contributions of the trap tissue layers were investigated with respect to the trap's movement behavior and the amount of strain required for snapping.

4D pine scale: biomimetic 4D printed autonomous scale and flap structures capable of multi-phase movement.

We developed biomimetic hygro-responsive composite polymer scales inspired by the reversible shape-changes of Bhutan pine () cone seed scales. The synthetic kinematic response is made possible through novel four-dimensional (4D) printing techniques with anisotropic material use, namely copolymers with embedded cellulose fibrils and ABS polymer. Multi-phase motion like the subsequent transversal and longitudinal bending deformation during desiccation of a natural pinecone scale can be structurally programmed into such printed hygromorphs.

Prey capture analyses in the carnivorous aquatic waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa L., Droseraceae).

We investigated the predator-prey interactions between an Australian ecotype of the carnivorous waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Droseraceae) and its potential natural prey, the water flea Daphnia longicephala (Daphniidae), which also occurs in Australia. A. vesiculosa develops snap-traps, which close within ~10-100 ms after mechanical triggering by zooplankton prey.

How the carnivorous waterwheel plant () snaps.

The fast motion of the snap-traps of the terrestrial Venus flytrap () have been intensively studied, in contrast to the tenfold faster underwater snap-traps of its phylogenetic sister, the waterwheel plant (). Based on biomechanical and functional-morphological analyses and on a reverse biomimetic approach via mechanical modelling and computer simulations, we identify a combination of hydraulic turgor change and the release of prestress stored in the trap as essential for actuation. Our study is the first to identify and analyse in detail the motion principle of , which not only leads to a deepened understanding of fast plant movements in general, but also contributes to the question of how snap-traps may have evolved and also allows for the development of novel biomimetic compliant mechanisms.

Trap diversity and character evolution in carnivorous bladderworts (Utricularia, Lentibulariaceae).

Bladderworts (Utricularia, Lentibulariaceae, Lamiales) constitute the largest genus of carnivorous plants but only aquatic species (about one fifth of the genus) have so far been thoroughly studied as to their suction trap functioning. In this study, we comparatively investigated trap biomechanics in 19 Utricularia species to examine correlations between life-forms, trapping mechanisms, and functional-morphological traits. Our investigations show the existence of two functional trap principles (passive trap in U.

Biomechanical analysis of prey capture in the carnivorous Southern bladderwort (Utricularia australis).

We recorded capture events (CEs) of the daphniid Ceriodaphnia dubia by the carnivorous Southern bladderwort with suction traps (Utricularia australis). Independent to orientation and behavior during trap triggering, the animals were successfully captured within 9 ms on average and sucked in with velocities of up to 4 m/s and accelerations of up to 2800 g. Phases of very high acceleration during onsets of suction were immediately followed by phases of similarly high deceleration (max.

Fastest predators in the plant kingdom: functional morphology and biomechanics of suction traps found in the largest genus of carnivorous plants.

Understanding the physics of plant movements, which describe the interplay between plant architecture, movement speed and actuation principles, is essential for the comprehension of important processes like plant morphogenesis. Recent investigations especially on rapid plant movements at the interface of biology, physics and engineering sciences highlight how such fast motions can be achieved without the presence of muscles, nerves and technical hinge analogies. The suction traps (bladders) of carnivorous bladderworts (Utricularia spp.