COS 112-4 - Comparing pollinator assemblages of carnivorous plant species in the genera Sarracenia and Drosera that utilize longleaf pine habitat in southeastern Louisiana
Carnivorous plants and their unique animal-eating lifestyles have spurred several studies looking into prey assemblages across all carnivorous taxa. The carnivorous adaptation has evolved separately six different times and many of these species utilize threatened habitat or are threatened themselves. However, pollinator assemblage studies of these rare species are few and far between, especially for North American species. Most mentions of pollinators are notes in unrelated studies or broad generalizations across carnivorous taxa. Here we aim to describe pollinator assemblages of carnivorous plants in southeast Louisiana and be the first study to compare assemblages between these species. Insects were hand netted from Sarracenia alata, Sarracenia psittacina, and Drosera capsillaris along with adjacent flowers of non-carnivorous plants in longleaf pine savannah over two seasons.
Results/Conclusions
S. alata supported the greatest diversity among carnivorous species. However, pollinator assemblages between S. alata and surrounding flora were not substantially different. This suggests its pollinators are generalists utilizing neighboring flowers. S. psittacina was mainly pollinated by the generalist Hoplitis truncata, which was not found on any other plant, suggesting a strong favor for S. psittacina within longleaf pine habitat. Differences of flower size between Sarracenia species may play a role in differentiating pollinator assemblages. A single species of Lasioglossum was collected from D. capsillaris, though the sample size was low. Understanding these species specific pollinator assemblages can open the door for understanding the complex ecological relationships these unique plants have with their community within threatened ecosystems.
