Oligophagy

Oligophagy

Oligophagy pertains to the dietary behavior where organisms consume only a few specific foods. Although the term can apply broadly, it is most frequently linked to the dietary patterns observed in insects. This behavior can manifest as:

Narrow oligophagy: Organisms have a diet limited to very few foods. Broad oligophagy: Organisms consume a wide array of specific foods but do not deviate beyond that set list. Polyphagy, in contrast, denotes the consumption of a vast spectrum of foods. Particularly in the insect domain, this usually points to insects that ingest plants from various families.

Examples

Narrow Oligophagy

The Yucca moths are an excellent representation of this category. Their diet is strictly limited to the budding fruits of the Yucca species. The sea hare, specifically Aplysia juliana (Quoy & Gaimard), is another example. This creature is indigenous to East Australian waters and is observed to feed exclusively on a singular alga, Ulva lactuca (Linnaeus).

Broad Oligophagy

The migratory locust serves as an illustrative instance of organisms that are either broadly oligophagous or even bordering on polyphagous.

Significance in Ecological Studies

Understanding the dietary patterns of organisms, particularly insects, holds significant relevance in ecological research. Oligophagy and polyphagy play crucial roles in understanding:

The evolutionary relationships between herbivores and their host plants. Potential biological control agents for pest management. How specific diets impact insect physiology, reproduction, and behavior.

Further Reading

Huffaker, C.B. & Gutierrez, A.P. (1999). Ecological Entomology. John Wiley & Sons. Rogers, D., Menary, R.C., & Poiner, I.R. (1995). "Diet and Distribution of the Sea Hare Aplysia juliana in East Australian Waters." Journal of Marine Biological Association of the UK, 75(3), 755-761.

See Also

Monophagy Generalist and specialist species Trophic level Dietary patterns in animals

References

• Huffaker, Carl B. & Gutierrez, A. P. (1999). Ecological Entomology. 2nd Edition (illustrated). John Wiley and Sons. ISBN 0-471-24483-X, ISBN 978-0-471-24483-7. Limited preview on Google Books. Accessed on 09 Jan 2010.
• Rogers, C. N.; Steinberg, P. D. & de Nys, R. (1994). Factors associated with oligophagy in two species of sea hares (Mollusca: Anaspidea). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Volume 192, Issue 1, 17 October 1995, Pages 47–73. doi:10.1016/0022-0981(95)00057-X. Abstract on ScienceDirect.com. Accessed on 09 Jan 2010.

Oligophagy Resources
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