The smallest but fastest

Abstract

Aquatic Utricularia species usually grow in standing, nutrientpoorhumic waters. They take up all necessary nutrients eitherdirectly from the water by rootless shoots or from animal preyby traps. The traps are hollow bladders, 1-6 mm long withelastic walls and have a mobile trap door. The inner part ofthe trap is densely lined with quadrifid and bifid glands andthese are involved in the secretion of digestive enzymes,resorption of nutrients and pumping out the water. The trapscapture small aquatic animals but they also host a communityof microorganisms considered as commensals. How do theseperfect traps function, kill and digest their prey? How dothey provide ATP energy for their demanding physiologicalfunctions? What are the nature of the interactions betweenthe traps and the mutualistic microorganisms living insideas commensals? In this minireview, all of these questions areconsidered from an ecophysiologist's point of view, basedon the most recent literature data and unpublished results. Anew concept on the role of the commensal community for theplants is presented. © 2011 Landes Bioscience.