1984__Morton_Observations.pdf (629.19 kB)
Observations on the feeding preferences of two species of Tasmanian terrestrial amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Talitridae).
journal contribution
posted on 2023-11-02, 05:39 authored by HP MortonThe food preferences of two species of terrestrial amphipod, Talitrus (Keratroides) vulgaris and Talitrus (Keratroides) angulosus, from near Tooms Lake, Tasmania were investigated.
Both species preferred the leaves of Olearia argophylla to those of Eucalyptus obliqua, decomposed leaves to fresh leaves, and leaves artificially hydrolysed in hydrochloric acid to fresh leaves. Sterilization did not affect their preferences. No differences were detected in the preferences of the two species. These terrestrial amphipods do not appear to be attracted to living bacteria and fungi, but rather to the hydrolytic effect which they have on the leaves.
Both species preferred the leaves of Olearia argophylla to those of Eucalyptus obliqua, decomposed leaves to fresh leaves, and leaves artificially hydrolysed in hydrochloric acid to fresh leaves. Sterilization did not affect their preferences. No differences were detected in the preferences of the two species. These terrestrial amphipods do not appear to be attracted to living bacteria and fungi, but rather to the hydrolytic effect which they have on the leaves.
