Ecological characterization and photosynthetic pigment assessment of environmental indicator species of Utricularia

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Suhas Vyas and Kamlesh Gadhvi, Department of Life Sciences, Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University, Junagadh, India, Vijay Parmar, Department of Life Sciencess, Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University, Junagadh, India

Background/Question/Methods
Genus Utricularia is a rootless carnivorous plant which acquires nutrients through bladders which traps preys. It is the genus of the family Lentibulariaceae which includes almost 40% of the carnivorous plants of the world. Their typical ecosystem habitat of the genus Utricularia draws the attention, as they are found in aquatic as well as terrestrial habitats. U. reticulata, U. janarthanamii and U. striatula are possesses higher adaptability in terrestrial habitats whereas, U. stellaris is aquatic carnivorous bladderwort found in ‘Gir’ region of Gujarat. Very scarce information is available based on the ecological habitat characterization of these species. The present work focuses on the habitat characterization of terrestrial and aquatic bladderwort species. This research highlights the association of carnivorous plant species with abiotic factors. The study focuses on eco-physiological parameters of habitat of Utricularia genus and photosynthetic pigment from four species of Utricularia.
Results/Conclusions
The habitat of the genus indicated low mineral content for the growth of these species. Furthermore, mineral content in the habitat was showing variation between species. The terrestrial Utricularia species grows at 200 m to 800 m altitudes, and are associated with bryophytes, algae and some of the angiosperm species. The decline of these species indicate increase in anthropogenic activities. Electrical Conductivity of the habitat was ranging from 0.174 to 0.611 mS.m-1. Concentration of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in the habitat was ranging from 0.158 to 0.899 meq.g-100 and 0.197 to 0.484 meq.g-100, respectively. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Organic Matter (TOM) was found between 0.255 to 1.862%. Photosynthetic pigment was also calculated from all the four species of Utricularia. There was a difference in type of prey captured by two species, the terrestrial species traped the Scottia species, whereas the aquatic species was efficient in trapping the larvae of Micropsectra species. These species of Utricularia show a significant importance of their presence as an ecological indicator. Their presence or absence indicate the characteristics and quality of terrestrial and aquatic habitat.