Determining prey spectra of carnivorous sundews using DNA-metabarcoding
Prey spectra of five closely-related species of carnivorous plants (Drosera sect. Arachnopus, Droseraceae) were investigated in their natural habitats in Western Australia using novel in-situ macro photography and DNA-metabarcoding techniques. Accurate analysis of prey spectra (even of heavily diges...
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| Format: | Thesis |
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Curtin University
2021
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/86225 |
| Summary: | Prey spectra of five closely-related species of carnivorous plants (Drosera sect. Arachnopus, Droseraceae) were investigated in their natural habitats in Western Australia using novel in-situ macro photography and DNA-metabarcoding techniques. Accurate analysis of prey spectra (even of heavily digested prey) at a taxonomic resolution and level of completeness unachievable by morphology-based methods was demonstrated. Observed prey selectivity in the scented D. fragrans supported the existence of an olfactory prey attraction strategy in this species. |
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