title: Strategy of nitrogen acquisition and utilization by carnivorous Dionaea muscipula.
abstract: Plant carnivory represents an exceptional means to acquire N. Snap traps of Dionaea muscipula serve two functions, and provide both N and photosynthate. Using (13)C/(15)N-labelled insect powder, we performed feeding experiments with Dionaea plants that differed in physiological state and N status (spring vs. autumn plants). We measured the effects of (15)N uptake on light-saturated photosynthesis (A(max)), dark respiration (R(D)) and growth. Depending on N status, insect capture briefly altered the dynamics of R(D)/A(max), reflecting high energy demand during insect digestion and nutrient uptake, followed by enhanced photosynthesis and growth. Organic N acquired from insect prey was immediately redistributed, in order to support swift renewal of traps and thereby enhance probability of prey capture. Respiratory costs associated with permanent maintenance of the photosynthetic machinery were thereby minimized. Dionaea's strategy of N utilization is commensurate with the random capture of large prey, occasionally transferring a high load of organic nutrients to the plant. Our results suggest that physiological adaptations to unpredictable resource availability are essential for Dionaea's success with regards to a carnivorous life style.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Forstbotanik und Baumphysiologie, Universität Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 53/54, 79110, Freiburg, Germany, joerg.kruse@ctp.uni-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Honsel
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kreuzwieser
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burzlaff
authors.forename: Saleh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alfarraj
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hedrich
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rennenberg
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D019069:Cell Respiration; D031257:Droseraceae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D007313:Insecta; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis
chemical_list: D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D009584:Nitrogen