Bladderwort

 

Characteristics

The Bladderwort is a consumer because it eats other organisms to gain energy from those organisms. The Bladderwort is a predator because it kills and eats other organisms to stay alive. It is a part of the Carnivorous feeding group. The Bladderwort competes with itself (or others of itself) for food and energy.

 

Behaviour

The Bladderwort's behaviour is offensive because it lures in animals and other types of organisms that it wants to eat. It uses a smell that is almost irresistible to the prey that the Bladderwort really wants to eat when it is hungry. The Bladderwort is reproductive because if you cut a piece of the bladderwort off, that piece can grow another Bladderwort overtime if it is left to grow.   

 

This plant catches its prey by using tiny capsules, which have doors on them that are lined with very sensitive bristles. If a small water creature touches the bristles “swoosh” goes the door and the prey is tightly sealed inside. The bladderwort then secretes acids to digests its prey, and within two hours the plant is ready to reset the trap to try and catch another tasty snack. You may have heard of the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) and its carnivorous eating habits, but did you know that there are other plants that hunt? In fact, the Bladderwort plant (Utricularia) is 100 times faster than the Venus Flytrap.

 

Diet

Bladderworts prey on Paramecium, Amoeba, Water Fleas, Aquatic Worms and Mosquito Larvae.

 

Predators

It has a few predators such as Mallards, Muskrats and Turtles.

 

Distribution and Abundance

The Utricularia is found nearly all around the world.They are found all over Australia as they are also found all over the world. They like to live in a wetland with lots of clear water; in other areas they can be found in ponds, streams, and swamps. The abundance of the Utricularia is substantial - it is really close to covering the whole world. In Australia, including the Northern Territory, it is found everywhere so it isn't usually difficult to find. 

 

Habitat

The Bladderwort plant lives in fresh water and is such a successful hunter that it doesn’t grow any roots. It also likes to live in areas that are surrounded with water so it mainly lives in watery habitats.

 

Impacts

The Utricularia (Bladderwort) impacts the world by getting rid of the mosquito population in Australia with the species called Utricularia Australis

 

Management

Land clearing for mineral extraction and rural and agricultural expansion is currently the most significant management issue right now.