Meeting Abstract
Carnivorous plants are found all across the world and have evolved various adaptations for capturing and consuming their prey. It has been hypothesized that carnivory in plants has evolved independently six times primarily due to a lack of nutrients in the environment. However, recent research has shown that other selective pressures such as the need to defend against herbivory may also contribute or have greater strength in directing these plants towards carnivory. In this study, we look at the interaction between the exotic Solenopsis invicta (RIFA) and the threatened Sarracenia minor (hooded pitcher plant). We are specifically looking at RIFA because it is a highly aggressive exotic species found throughout the southern half of North America. RIFAs aggression is much higher than native ants, which may lead to RIFA having a more robust impact on deterring herbivores from the host plant. We are testing to see if RIFA has an effect on the growth and survival rate of the hooded pitcher plant by conducting a manipulated field study, where the presence of RIFA is excluded or included in the environment of the hooded pitcher plant. Measurements currently being taken include pitcher mortality, pitcher height and width, proportion of pitchers with herbivory present, and the capture rate of Solenopsis invicta. This data will provide some insight if multiple selective pressures caused by Solenospsis invicta are acting upon Sarracenia minor and it will also give an understanding into what organisms are beneficial to have around the threatened plant to prevent its extinction, even exotics such as RIFA.
