Oligophagy
Oligophagy[edit | edit source]
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.[1] 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.[2] 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[edit | edit source]
Narrow Oligophagy[edit | edit source]
The Yucca moths are an excellent representation of this category. Their diet is strictly limited to the budding fruits of the Yucca species.[2] 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).[3]
Broad Oligophagy[edit | edit source]
The migratory locust serves as an illustrative instance of organisms that are either broadly oligophagous or even bordering on polyphagous.[2]
Significance in Ecological Studies[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
Monophagy Generalist and specialist species Trophic level Dietary patterns in animals
Footnotes[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- 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.
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