THE METAZOAN FOOD WEBS FROM 6 BORNEAN NEPENTHES SPECIES

1. Two contrasting hypotheses concerning patterns in food web structure within pitchers of Nepenthes are tested using new information from six species of Nepenthes from Borneo. 2. In general, predictions that webs will be more complex, and the food chains they contain will be longer, the closer they are to the centre of Nepenthes species diversity, are supported. 3. For Nepenthes albomarginata, a widespread species with a distinctive north Bornean form, a contrasting pattern is evident explicable in terms of the morphology of the pitchers and local habitat preferences. 4. General explanations for food web patterns will always be susceptible to exception, reflecting nuances of natural history.