Effect of Habitat Structure
on Reproduction and Prey
Capture of Pinguicula lutea
a Rare Carnivorous Plant
Samantha B. Primer, University of Illinois (UIUC)
Brenda Molano-Flores, Illinois Natural History Survey
Jenna Annis, Eastern Illinois University
Janice Coons, Eastern Illinois University
Mary Ann Feist, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Habitat Modification
TIME
Habitat Modification
Plant-Insect Interactions
Plant-Insect Interactions
Carnivorous Plants
“This plant, commonly called Venus’ fly-trap…is one
of the most wonderful in the world.”
Carnivorous Plants
“This plant, commonly called Venus’ fly-trap…is one
of the most wonderful in the world.”
…But So Much More
Pinguicula lutea
Family:
Lentibulariaceae
Common Name:
Yellow Butterwort
Status:
Threatened in FL
Habitat Structure
Maintained
Grassy
Woody
Pinguicula spp. Characteristics
anthers
receptacle
stigma
nectar spur
Pinguicula spp. Characteristics
leaf margin
sessile gland
stalked gland
Overarching Question
Does habitat structure affect plant-insect interactions of
Pinguicula lutea?
Overarching Question
Does habitat structure affect plant-insect interactions of
Pinguicula lutea?
Background Information:
1. Determine reproductive ecology
2. Survey arthropod abundance and prey capture
Reproductive Ecology
Previous Research
Breeding System
Low
Pollinator Observations
Pollen : Ovule
High
Reproductive Ecology Summary
Floral Morphology
Suggest Insect vector
Breeding System
Self-compatible, pollen vector required
Pollinator Observations
Insect vector on video
Pollen to Ovule Ratio
Consistent with facultative selfing
Prey Community
Previous Research
Treat. 1876. The Harper’s Monthly.
Gibson.1991. American Midland Naturalist.
Prey Community Summary
Prey Capture
Main prey are Collembola and Diptera
Collembola is most common
Arthropod Availability
Collembola and Diptera most abundant
Some available Diptera too large trap
Overarching Question
Does habitat structure affect reproduction and prey capture
of Pinguicula lutea?
Background Information:
1. Determine reproductive ecology
2. Survey arthropod abundance and prey capture
1. Determine reproduction and prey capture in
three habitat structures
Determining Structure
Vegetation Surveys
1m2 quadrats established
Cover class determined
(% cover)
Quadrats = 5
Sites = 13
Determining Structure
Maintained
Grassy
Woody
Reproduction
Fruit Set
Seed Set
N = 10
Sites = 13
Proportion of Fruits Formed
Fruit Set
Final Fruit Set
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
maintained
grassy
woody
ANOVA
F = 0.57, P = 0.58
Seed Set
Proportion of Seeds Set
Seed Set
0.95
0.9
0.85
0.8
0.75
maintained
grassy
woody
ANOVA: F = 1.54, p = 0.22
Habitat Structure on Reproduction
Habitat structure does not affect
reproductive success
High fruit set
High seed set
Prey Community Assessment
Prey Capture
Arthropod Availability
N=5
Sites = 13
Arthropod Availability
Mean # Arthropods
12
Maintained
Grassy
10
Woody
8
6
4
Total 2 Colembola Diptera
0
Total Collembola Diptera
ANOVA: F = 4.66, p = 0.01
F = 4.3, p = 0.02
F = 38.7,p <0.001
Maintained
Grassy
Woody
Mean # Arthropods
Prey Capture
5
Maintained
Grassy
4
Woody
3
Maintained
Grassy
2
Woody
Total 1 Collembola
Diptera
0
Total
ANOVA: F = 26.0, p <0.001
Collembola
F = 30.18, p <0.001
Diptera
F = 16.45, p <0.001
Habitat Structure on Prey Capture
Habitat structure does affect prey
capture and availability
Microclimatic Conditions
Light Availability
Temperature
Humidity
Habitat Structure on Prey Capture
Habitat structure does affect prey
capture and availability
Microclimatic Conditions
Light Availability
Temperature
Humidity
Arthropods
Trapping Mechanism
Habitat Structure on Prey Capture

F
Zamora.1995. Oikos.
Habitat Structure on Prey Capture
In Summary….
• First comprehensive study of plant-insect interactions for SE
Pinguicula spp.
First comprehensive study of plant-insect interactions
for SE Pinguicula spp.
• In a fire dependent community these findings provide insight into
how this species response to changes in habitat structure… i.e.
What management or lack of management could mean for this
species
• Provides evidence that’s presents or absence of management does
not seems to have an impact in terms of reproduction; however
there are differences in terms of prey capture.
In Summary….
First comprehensive study of plant-insect interactions for SE Pinguicula
spp.
Provides insight into how this species respond to
• In a fire dependent community these findings provide insight into
changes
habitat
structure
how thisin
species
responds
to changes in habitat structure… i.e.
What management or lack of management could mean for this
species
• Provides evidence that’s presents or absence of management does
not seems to have an impact in terms of reproduction; however
there are differences in terms of prey capture.
In Summary….
First comprehensive study of plant-insect interactions for SE
Pinguicula spp.
Provides insight into how this species responds to changes in
habitat structure
Presence/absence of management may impact prey
capture.
Acknowledgements
COAUTHORS
Brenda Molano-Flores
Jenna Annis
Janice Coons
Mary Ann Feist
BMF LAB
Danielle Ruffatto
David N. Zaya
Ian Pearse
Charlie Helm
UNDERGRADUATE HELP
Marialicia Chavez
FIELD ASSISSTANTS/ HELP
Caroline George
Jean Mendelkoch
Kevin Christman
Melissa Primer
Bill Booth
Robin Kennedy
TYNDALL AIRFORCE BASE
Wendy Jones
ST. JOE COMPANY
Jim Moyers
MASTER NATURALISTS
FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE
Michael Jenkins
David Morse
US FISH AND WILDLIFE
Vivian Negron-Ortiz
BUFFER PRESERVE
Dylan Shoemaker
Barry Townsend
Sandra Chafin
Allix North
Lisa Duglecki
Max & Pat Prucell
Dave & Joy Peterson