Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 11:09:04 -0800 From: Ivan Snyder <bioexp@juno.com> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg3507$foo@default> Subject: CP Evolution Tidbits
Hi CPers,
Here is a bit of recent conjecture to challenge your imaginations. Much
of this is purely speculative and I would like your feedback. Maybe
together we can work this all out.
DIGESTION WITHIN SEEDS
It is a surprise to most that just about all seed plants that are what we
might call "non-carnivorous" are in fact facilitatively carnivorous at
one stage in their development. This is not a new discovery, but one
which is instead only little told and buried deeply in esoterica.
Contained within seeds are food stores which nourish the developing
embryo. These are digested and absorbed to make growth possible. The
pricipal absorptive organs are the cotyledons. Some plants having what is
termed cryptocotylar germination hold their cotyledons within the seed so
as to take nourishment from the endosperm for a prolonged period. I have
seen in some noncarnivorous plants such as in the tomato family a
noticeable nub of tissue which might be described as a sort of embryonic
carnivorous organ visible at the tip of the seed leaf or cotyledon. This
organ is present too in sundews and Dionaea. This organ also appears to
be mucilaginous. Or maybe this nub is just a lubricating organ to help
cast off the seed coat; I don't really know.
EVOLVING CARNIVORY
My original idea was that in the carnivorous syndrome, a mutation
relocated the embryonic carnivorous facility to other organs such as
defensive sticky grandular trichomes thereby creating our familiar truly
carnivorous plant the sundew [see CPN Dec. 85]. In Byblis and maybe also
Pinguicula, translocation of the trait may not have been necessary. One
bit of evidence for this I have just recently realized. Take a look at
the ends of Byblis leaves and you will find a tiny nub. These nubs have
been theorized by some to have different purposes such as that they are
possibly vestigialized leaf laminae or maybe transpiration organs. But
now consider this: The leaves of Byblis are the same in shape as are
their cotyledons. I think the nubs at the leaf tips are the clue.
Possibly these nubs are the same nubs of tissue also seen on cotyledons
as was discribed above. This would mean that the leaves of Byblis were
replaced by modified cotelydons (which are above shown to be
carnivorous). By this strategy the evolution of carnivory could take
place quickly. I invite your critcism.
Ivan Snyder
Hermosa Beach
California
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