Re: heliamphora question?

Jan Schlauer (zxmsl01@studserv.zdv.uni-tuebingen.de)
Fri, 14 Jan 1994 13:59:43 +0100

Kirk, you wrote:

>(...)that heliamphora has no digestive enzymes but rather uses microbial
>action >to break down the prey.

This is true for the 4 eastern spp., only. Quite recently, JAFFE,
MICHELANGELI & al. (1992) have demonstrated _H.tatei_ to *have* digestive
enzymes (& wax scales...). All _Heliamphorae_ seem to have surfactants
which cause the prey (ants) to drown faster in the pitcher fluid than in
the water of nearby bromeliads or ponds.

Kind regards
Jan