Trichomes in Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) with systematic implications

• Grant number: 10/10714-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2010
• End date: August 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Vitor Fernandes Oliveira de Miranda
• Grantee: Saura Rodrigues da Silva
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa, Pós-Graduação e Extensão e Assuntos Comunitários. Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes (UMC). Mogi das Cruzes , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The genus Utricularia comprises about 35% of all carnivorous plant species and occurs in diverse habitats, which presents high rates of phenotypic plasticity and nutritional specialization. Its species are widespread, and many of them are found in South America, mainly in Brazil (about 70 species). The utricles, one of the most complex structures adapted to carnivory, are diagnostic structures to determine some species of Utricularia, which are not fully understood. They have several types of trichomes related to attraction, retaining, digestion and absorption of nutrients from their prey, which are also important traits for the circumscription and delimitation of infrageneric taxa. However there is no morphological research in trichomes of many taxa, and few studies have assessed the systematic implications of these epidermal structures. Considering the Neotropical species, particularly endemic species from Brazil, the researches are nearly inexistent. Therefore, this study focuses on pointing out morphological characters of trichomes of utricles (vesicles adapted to carnivory) from 20 species in 12 sections within Utricularia genus, including endemic and non-endemic species, and its systematic implications. (AU)