Feeding in intertidal Acari
In: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. Elsevier: New York. ISSN 0022-0981; e-ISSN 1879-1697, more
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Keywords |
Feeding Interspecific relationships > Predation Acari [WoRMS] Marine/Coastal |
Author keywords |
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Abstract |
The present study suggests that there are two different feeding adaptations among the intertidal Acari: (a) the highly adapted Halacaridae, Ameronothridae and Hyadesidae which feed upon typically “marine” material, for example intertidal algal microphytes or other marine microarthropods, and (b) the remaining majority of Acari which feed upon typically “terrestrial” material, for example nematodes, oligochaetes, and insects, similar material to that consumed by their soil and leaf litter-inhabiting counterparts.The division into two groups, based upon physiological and morphological specializations as suggested in related studies is reflected in the diets of the two groups.Other feeding adaptations to the littoral environment include endurance of starvation (a pre-adaptation), and synchrony of feeding with the tidal cycle (a specialization). |
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