Dionaea muscipula, the infamous Venus fly trap, is perhaps the most well-known carnivorous plant on the planet. D. muscipula has been described by Charles Darwin as “the most wonderful plant in the world” because of its unique structure and feeding strategy (Darwin and Darwin, 1888). The anatomical design of this species consists of a pair trapezoid shaped leaves, hinged down the center, and lined with long protruding, needle-like structures (Figure 1A) (Quammen, 1988). This plant is the only species of its kind and its specific morphology evolved in response to resource competition for nitrogen within the plant’s native habit of the Carolinas (Quammen, 1988).
The method with which the D. muscipula entraps its prey is well know. The more interesting part is how this happens. The plant’s structure allows it to attract then interact with its prey before consumption to determine if the cost of digestion will be balanced by the nutrition gained in the process (Quammen, 1988). During daylight hours, over 60 different volatile organic compounds, mimicking the smell of fruits and flowers, are emitted (Kreuzwieser et al., 2014). In addition to the volatile chemical signaling, the plant also releases a clear nectar from glands within the leaves (Quammen, 1988). Both the airborne chemical communication and physical release of nectar attract insects; once a prey item lands within the lobes of the plant, it is assessed. This assessment includes additional chemical signaling by D. muscipula to identify if the item within its grasp is indeed food. Then, the size of the prey is measured since the trap will only close if the prey item is large enough to be beneficial. This is done using mechanical stimuli via small hairs on the inner lobes between the nectar glands (Figure 1B (I))(Volkov, Adesina and Jovanov, 2007; Quammen, 1988). Two distinct touches on one or more hairs is required to spring the lobes closed, as long as they are between one and 20 seconds apart. The spacing of the hairs ensures that only a larger insect could trigger the system (Quammen, 1988).
The simulation of the hairs is recognized by mechanosensitive channels within the surrounding cells (Volkov, Adesina and Jovanov, 2007). These channels are able to move calcium and potassium cations in and out of cells in response to mechanical stress and the information is conducted through an electrical signal similar to an action potential found in animals (Figure 1B (II). The duration of the action potential in the D. muscipula is approximately 1.5 milliseconds and requires an average electrical charge of 13.6 microcoulombs. The mechanical stimulation of the two hair touches within the 20 second interval induces electrical signals that meet the threshold level, in turn generating the action potential within the motor cells responsible for the movement of the upper regions of each leaf. The action potential signals the leaves to close; the prey item is then trapped within the two lobes and digestive juices containing proteinase break down the insect in order to absorb its nutrients (Figure 1B(III)) (Quammen, 1988).
The extensive interaction D. muscipula has with its prey demonstrates its almost economical behaviour developed as a result of its evolution in a resource limited environment. This makes the plant’s use of chemical and mechanical signaling all the more important in ensuring its potential prey is fit for consumption.
Resources
Darwin, C. and Darwin, S.F., 1888. Donaea muscipula. In: Insectivorous Plants. London: William Cloves and Sons, Limited. pp.231–259.
Kreuzwieser, J., Scheerer, U., Kruse, J., Burzlaff, T., Honsel, A., Alfarraj, S., Georgiev, P., Schnitzler, J.-P., Ghirardo, A., Kreuzer, I., Hedrich, R. and Rennenberg, H., 2014. The Venus flytrap attracts insects by the release of volatile organic compounds. Journal of Experimental Botany, 65(2), pp.755–766. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ert455.
Kutschera, U. and Briggs, W., 2009. Photograph of an adult Venus flytrap. [image online] Available at: <https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Photograph-of-an-adult-Venus-flytrap-Dionaea-muscipula-a-plant-that-responds-to_fig3_26862801> [Accessed 24 Oct. 2021].
Quammen, D., 1988. The Flight of the Iguana: A Sidelong View of Science and Nature. 1st ed. New York: Delacorte Press.
Volkov, A.G., Adesina, T. and Jovanov, E., 2007. Closing of Venus Flytrap by Electrical Stimulation of Motor Cells. Plant Signaling & Behavior, 2(3), pp.139–145. https://doi.org/10.4161%2Fpsb.2.3.4217
Comments
11 Responses to “Signaling types in Dionaea muscipula prey interaction and capture”
Hello everyone!
I enjoyed learning more about electrical signals in our second year neuroscience lectures so I chose to incorporate electrical signaling with plant and animal interaction topics, and a little bit about evolution from first year. I decided to use the Venus fly trap as a model organism to discuss these topics since most people are familiar with the plant and in iSci we read about it as part of the Quammen assignment in first year. I also just find the species very interesting!
I hope you enjoy reading my post!
-Aunika
Hi Aunika,
This was a very interesting and well-written post, I just have a few suggestions that you may want to consider!
– It might help to include a figure after the first paragraph to help visualize the different components of the Venus fly trap
– The first two sentences in the second paragraph can be combined into one longer sentence using ‘however’ or ‘but’
– If the word count permits I think it would be beneficial to briefly touch on the method first and then move on to how it happens
– In terms of a structure perspective I think the middle paragraph could be split up into two
Overall, this was a great connection between disciplines from different years and I look forward to the final draft!
Serena
Hello Serena,
I have added a figure! I tried combining the first two sentences, but I prefer them separate. I am already at the max word count, so unfortunately I cant add anymore. The figure now splits what used to be the middle paragraph.
Thanks for your comments,
-Aunika
Hi Aunika,
Great post! I think venus fly traps are fascinating and it was wonderful to read your post! I do have some suggestions for your final draft:
1. First sentence of your second paragraph, I think it should be ‘well-known’, right now it is ‘well know’.
2. Your second paragraph is quite long and may seem a bit daunting to the reader. I suggest trying to break this paragraph up. Serena’s suggestion of adding a figure would be an effective way of breaking this paragraph up.
3. It would be useful to make a more distinct connection of your blog post to either other disciplines or in s societal context. You hit a lot of great points and I think making a connection could enhance your post.
Overall, great job! I always love reading about Venus fly traps! i can’t wait to read your final draft!
– Sylvanna
Hello Sylvanna,
I have made the alteration in the first sentence that you suggested!. I added a figure to break up the second paragraph. I am already at the max word count, so unfortunately I cant add anymore to connect disciplines.
Thank you for commenting,
-Aunika
Hi Aunika,
Cool blog post, Venus fly traps are always interesting to read about! I do have a few suggestions to improve your post:
– In your second paragraph you mention how over 60 different volatile compounds are emitted during the day. If possible, it might be beneficial to further talk about these compounds and how they vary from each other (maybe using a diagram) to help the plant.
– You mentioned action potentials for Venus flytraps in your post, which I think is a topic that can supported using a graph or diagram to better communicate the numbers/trends
– It would be interesting if you could explore how the meta-population dynamics of the prey are affected by the behaviour of Venus flytraps in different environments, if they are at all
Other than that, it was a really informative post. I hope you have great time editing!
– Yash
Hello Yash,
I am already at the max word count, so unfortunately I cant add anymore about the chemical compounds or the meta population dynamics! I added a figure of the action potential.
Thanks for you comments,
-Aunika
Hi Aunika,
This was a super interesting blog post! I really enjoyed the way you integrated our learnings from last year’s Quammen reading. It is also clear to see from your post that you have done considerable research into this field of science. I do have a few suggestions for you that I believe you can use for your final draft:
1. I believe the second sentence of your second paragraph requires an in-text citation. It is a really good sentence that introduces the plant but it should have a citation because it is not common knowledge.
2. The chemical signalling you mentioned that the venus flytrap uses to determine whether the item they caught is food is very intriguing. Could you provide a bit more detail as to what this signalling is?
3. A small detail: I believe the phrasing in this sentence, “The length of the action potential” should be “duration” and not “length”.
4. Like a previous commenter mentioned, I believe you would be well-served by adding a figure depicting the action potential of the venus flytrap. It would help the reader understand the concept and connect with the writing a bit more.
In summary, this was a really good blog post that is well-communicated from beginning to end. I hope my comments give you some insight into what you can edit, and I cannot wait to read your final draft.
Happy editing,
Rith
Hello Rith,
I added that second paragraph citation! I am already at the max word count, so unfortunately I cant add anymore about the chemicals! I changed length to duration and I added a figure!
Thanks for commenting,
-Aunika
Hey Aunika,
Excellent blog post! I too was very interested in the Venus Flytrap species when we read about it in first year, so I really enjoyed learning more about it in your post. Here are a few suggestions to make your post even better:
– in your first paragraph ‘dual trapezoid leaves’ can be misconstrued with a shape of interlocking trapezoids, so I would recommend changing this to ‘a pair of trapezoid-shaped leaves that are hinged down the centre, …’
– you mention chemical signalling to identify if the object is indeed food – I think an example of a chemical compound that is released/used would be a nice addition here
– this sentence ‘Two distinct touches, on one or more hairs, between one and 20 seconds apart, are required to spring the lobes closed.’ seems a little too segmented. I would recommend removing some commas to improve the flow: ‘Two distinct touches on one or more hairs is required to spring the lobes closed, as long as they are sensed between one and 20 seconds of each other.’
– In the sentence ‘The mechanical stimulation of the two hair touches within the 20 second interval, induces electrical signals’ the comma should be removed
Overall the tone of the post was really consistent and well done overall. Best of luck with your edits, and I look forward to your final post!
Cheers,
Katherine G
Hi Katherine!
I made all the edits you suggested except for adding more about the chemical signaling because I am at the max word count!
Thank you for commenting on my post!
– Aunika