Underwater Traps in the Tropics. Do the ecological requirements of a carnivorous plant vary between tropical and temperate regions?

Overview of Module:  1) Content. Students will learn about: fundamental botany of carnivorous plants, which include their features, trapping methods, habitats, and prey botany of Utricularia from its physical traits to its typical habitats the ecological requirements of Utricularia species in tropical and temperate regions. 2) Activities. The module has three main activities. Students will: review each module section and test their knowledge through short- and long-answer quizzes. use a data tool on the HHMI| Biointeractive website to analyze data and interpret the results. learn about the ecological requirements of Utricularia species in tropical and temperate regions through interpreting data presented in a provided table. 3) Impact. This module: provides instructors with opportunities to expose their students to a tropical context offers a comparative approach in teaching ecological concepts helps instructors demonstrate how a single genus of carnivorous plants adapts to different habitats and encourages students to think about how environments shape carnivorous traits among plants presents topics that represent a group of ecologically unique plants. Plant carnivory is a rare trait, and this animal-associated trait can serve as a basis for exploring concepts of natural selection and physiological adaptation. Learning Objectives: Explain what carnivorous plants are Understand the general ecological requirements of Utricularia Describe the ecological requirements of Utricularia in the tropics Compare the ecological requirements of Utricularia species in tropical and temperate regions   Support was provided by: A grant from the United States National Science Foundation (DBI-RCN-UBE 2120141).