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Molecular evidence for the common origin of snap‐traps among carnivorous plants
Author(s) -
Cameron Kenneth M.,
Wurdack Kenneth J.,
Jobson Richard W.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.3732/ajb.89.9.1503
Subject(s) - carnivorous plant , biology , phylogenetic tree , lineage (genetic) , sister group , threatened species , clade , evolutionary biology , molecular phylogenetics , botany , ecology , gene , genetics , predation , habitat
The snap‐trap leaves of the aquatic waterwheel plant ( Aldrovanda ) resemble those of Venus' flytrap ( Dionaea ), its distribution and habit are reminiscent of bladderworts ( Utricularia ), but it shares many reproductive characters with sundews ( Drosera ). Moreover, Aldrovanda has never been included in molecular phylogenetic studies, so it has been unclear whether snap‐traps evolved only once or more than once among angiosperms. Using sequences from nuclear 18S and plastid rbcL , atpB, and matK genes, we show that Aldrovanda is sister to Dionaea , and this pair is sister to Drosera . Our results indicate that snap‐traps are derived from flypaper‐traps and have a common ancestry among flowering plants, despite the fact that this mechanism is used by both a terrestrial species and an aquatic one. Genetic and fossil evidence for the close relationship between these unique and threatened organisms indicate that carnivory evolved from a common ancestor within this caryophyllid clade at least 65 million years ago.