Class Hexapoda: general introduction
2024
Boix, Dani | Bonada, Núria | Muñoz, Isabel | Baquero, Enrique | Jordana, Rafael | Cunillera-Montcusí, David | Tornero, Irene | Fortuño, Pau | Acosta, Raúl | Gascón, Stéphanie | Sala, Jordi
Hexapods in the Mediterranean Basin are very diverse in terms of species and biological traits, and have been used in both fundamental and applied research. The chapter covers different aspects of the biology and ecology of Hexapods, with special emphasis on those subjects that are relevant in the Mediterranean context. Moreover, it includes a taxonomic key for Entognatha (springtails) at species level and Insecta at order level. The biology and ecology of Hexapods is separated into two different sections: aquatic or semiaquatic springtails and aquatic insects. The second section includes the topics like origin of endemicity, singular aquatic habitats, biological traits, dispersal strategies, metacommunities dynamics, their role in food webs, their response to disturbances, their use in biological assessment of water quality, and known alien aquatic Hexapods. Conservation and management of aquatic Hexapods in the Mediterranean Basin represent a challenge because of their high biodiversity, with adapted species to the hydrological characteristics imposed by the Mediterranean climate, and the fact that aquatic habitats are under intense human pressures.
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