Adaptation for Carnivory in the West Australian pitcher plant Cephalotus follicularis Labill

Abstract

The West Australian pitcher plant Cephalotus follicularis has adaptive structures for carnivory including modified leaves as pitfall containers, specialized surface microtopography to reduce adhesion of insect footpads and the development of gland tissue that secretes digestive enzymes. Gland masses on the lateral pitcher walls are made up of unspecialized mesophyll cells supporting two different types of gland. Cephalotus is geographically and taxonomically isolated from other pitcher plants. A detailed scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy study of the cell types within the pitchers of Cephalotus was carried out and the evolutionary and taxonomic significance of its adaptions to carnivory are discussed.