Trap diversity and evolution in the family Droseraceae
Simon Poppinga, Siegfried R.H. Hartmeyer, Tom Masselter, Irmgard Hartmeyer and Thomas Speck
A new review has been published in PBS (Plant Signaling & Behavior) and is now online (open access, link below). Recent investigations revealed how the snap-traps of Aldrovanda vesiculosa (waterwheel plant) and Dionaea muscipula (Venus’ flytrap) work mechanically and how these apparently similar devices differ as to their functional morphology and shutting mechanics. Recently, it was also shown that there exists a higher diversity of different tentacle types and trap configurations in Drosera than previously known which presumably reflect adaptations to different prey spectra. Based on these recent findings, we finally comment on possible ways for intrafamiliar trap evolution.
http://www.landesbio.../article/24685/