Food preference and coprophagy in a tropical millipede
1998
Mwabvu, T. (University of Zimbabwe, Harara (Zimbabwe). Biological Sciences Department)
Food preference and coprophagy in mature and immature millipedes (Alloporus uncinatus (Attems)) were investigated and preference indices calculated. Males and immature millipedes showed clearer selective feeding than females. Food material containing no organic matter was least ingested by all millipedes. These results confirm that although millipedes have a wide dietary range feeding is not random. Coprophagy is also thought to be an important feeding strategy among immature millipedes. Food selection in millipedes does not seem to be on the basis of nutritive value alone. Males seem to choose food mainly on the basis of nutritive value, and immature millipedes on perhaps the calcium content. It is also argued discrete characteristics of food items may influence food choices more than just total energy content. The probable adaptive significance of selective feeding and coprophagy in millipedes is also discussed.
اظهر المزيد [+] اقل [-]الكلمات المفتاحية الخاصة بالمكنز الزراعي (أجروفوك)
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