Krings, MichaelTaylor, Thomas N.Kellogg, Derek W.2015-02-242015-02-242002-01-01Krings, Michael; Taylor, Thomas N.; Kellogg, D. W. (2002). "Touch-sensitive glandular trichomes: a mode of defence against herbivorous arthropods in the Carboniferous." Evolutionary Ecology Research, 4(5):779-786. http://www.evolutionary-ecology.com/issues/v04n05/mmar1431.pdf.1522-0613https://hdl.handle.net/1808/16783This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://www.evolutionary-ecology.com/issues/v04n05/mmar1431.pdf.We present evidence that the capitate glandular trichomes of Blanzyopteris praedentata, a lianescent seed fern from the Upper Carboniferous of France, possessed a specialized, touchsensitive mechanism that triggered the opening of the secretory cell by contact. The trichomes are interpreted as functionally similar to those of some modern flowering plants, which release a sticky exudate when touched and ruptured that functions to disable plant-feeding arthropods.defence mechanismglandular trichomeherbivoryseed fernUpper CarboniferousArticleopenAccess