Re: C3 or C4 +

Jan Schlauer (Jan@pbc-ths1.pci.chemie.uni-tuebingen.de)
Wed, 27 Mar 1996 09:53:01 +0100

Dear Ben,

>1. Does anyone know what method of carbon fixation the CPs employ (i.e.
>Calvin (C3), or C4)?

Not that I know. Studnicka has discovered succulent structures in the
leaves of some _Pinguicula_ spp., and I think he has at least suggested CAM
in these.

> Has any developmental research been done on CP,
>esp. Neps (trap formation)?

Only morphological work AFAIK.

> Any other biological/biochemical research been
>done on CPs (aside from that on the proteolytic enzymes of Nep.)?

Quite a lot of other work (esp. on secretion, nutrient uptake, etc., much
of which cited in Juniper & al., The Carnivorous Plants, 1989) has been
published.

The group I am working in is investigating the secondary metabolism in the
clade which contains Nepenthaceae. We are especially interested in the
pathway leading to plumbagin in Droseraceae, Nepenthaceae,
Ancistrocladaceae & al.

Kind regards
Jan