Unusual underwater flowering of Utricularia australis populations: a botanical enigma?

Ceschin, Simona; Pelella, Emanuele; Azzella, Mattia M.; Bellini, A.; Ellwood, Neil Thomas William

doi:10.1016/j.aquabot.2021.103487

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Bracciano Lake is an oligo-mesotrophic, hard-water, volcanic lake in which L. hexapetala was originally reported in 2010, although it was initially confused with the congeneric L. peploides (Kunth) P.H.Raven [33]. After the drastic lowering of water levels in 2017 [34], the spread of this alien species along the banks increased, becoming a growing threat to local native biodiversity [35][36][37].…”

Section: Sampling Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the Invasive Alien Macrophyte Ludwigia hexapetala on Freshwater Ecosystems: Evidence from Field Data

Pelella,

Questino,

Luzi

et al. 2023

Biology

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Biological invasions are a serious threat to biodiversity conservation, especially in freshwater ecosystems. The American macrophyte Ludwigia hexapetala, which colonizes both the aquatic and bank habitats of lakes, rivers, and canals, is invading many waterbodies in Europe, becoming an increasingly worrisome threat in several European countries, including Italy. However, only fragmentary information is available on the actual impact of its invasion in these habitats. This study aims to collect field data from various freshwater habitats in central and northern Italy, to assess the possible impact of L. hexapetala on the environmental parameters and plant biodiversity of the invaded habitats. The results show that in aquatic habitats, dense floating L. hexapetala populations reduce the light levels and oxygen available in the water, consequently limiting the growth of other aquatic plants. Indeed, L. hexapetala populations negatively affect aquatic plant diversity, as an increase in L. hexapetala cover corresponded to a decrease in Simpson’s diversity index. In contrast, in bank habitats, L. hexapetala has no significant impact on plant diversity. Evidence suggests that some native species, such as Phragmites australis, which generally form compact populations along the banks, effectively counteract the invasion of L. hexapetala. This information may prove valuable for the environmental managers of those freshwater habitats where L. hexapetala invasion needs to be addressed and controlled.

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Section: Sampling Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the Invasive Alien Macrophyte Ludwigia hexapetala on Freshwater Ecosystems: Evidence from Field Data

Pelella,

Questino,

Luzi

et al. 2023

Biology

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“…It is characterised by capilliform leaves interspersed with modified leaves for carnivory (traps) that act by trapping small aquatic organisms [ 28 ]. Its distribution is gradually contracting in Italy, and it has been observed that in some locations in central Italy, where L. hexapetala is becoming more and more dominant, it is completely disappearing [ 29 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the Alien Aquatic Plant Ludwigia hexapetala on the Native Utricularia australis: Evidence from an Indoor Experiment

Pelella

Questino

Ceschin

2023

Plants

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Ludwigia hexapetala is an alien aquatic plant considered highly invasive in Europe since it alters freshwater habitats by forming dense mats both in water and along banks, outcompeting natives. Ludwigia effects on the native carnivorous plant Utricularia australis were investigated here. A 21-day indoor experiment was performed by setting up some separate tests in which Utricularia was made to grow both alone (control tests) and together with Ludwigia (arena tests). Water chemical and physical parameters and growth and morphological traits of Utricularia and Ludwigia were analysed weekly. Water samples were also analysed by UV-visible spectra to verify allelochemical (quercitrin) production by Ludwigia. In arena tests, oxygen concentration and pH were lower and conductivity higher than in control tests. Utricularia grew significantly less in arena tests in both shoot length and internode number, and its fresh weight, trap number and internode length decreased more than the control. Quercitrin was found only in arena tests as an allelochemical product released by Ludwigia. Overall, this study demonstrated Ludwigia significantly alters water parameters and negatively affects the growth of Utricularia, showing aggressive and competitive behaviour against this native species. Such evidence suggest that the widespread of L. hexapetala can represent a serious threat to the conservation of native plant diversity occurring in the freshwater habitats it invades.

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Ecological interactions of carnivorous plants: beyond the relationship with their prey

Luna-Samano,

Martínez-Peralta,

GabrielaTrejo-Loyo

et al. 2024

Arthropod-Plant Interactions

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Unusual underwater flowering of Utricularia australis populations: a botanical enigma?

Cited by 5 publications

References 31 publications

Impact of the Invasive Alien Macrophyte Ludwigia hexapetala on Freshwater Ecosystems: Evidence from Field Data

Impact of the Invasive Alien Macrophyte Ludwigia hexapetala on Freshwater Ecosystems: Evidence from Field Data

Impact of the Alien Aquatic Plant Ludwigia hexapetala on the Native Utricularia australis: Evidence from an Indoor Experiment

Ecological interactions of carnivorous plants: beyond the relationship with their prey

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