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Inquilines
In zoology, an inquiline (from Latin ''inquilinus'', "lodger" or "tenant") is an animal that lives commensally in the nest, burrow, or dwelling place of an animal of another species. For example, some organisms, such as insects, may live in the homes of gophers or the garages of humans and feed on debris, fungi, roots, etc. The most widely distributed types of inquiline are those found in association with the nests of social insects, especially ants and termites – a single colony may support dozens of different inquiline species. The distinctions between parasites, social parasites, and inquilines are subtle, and many species may fulfill the criteria for more than one of these, as inquilines do exhibit many of the same characteristics as parasites. However, parasites are specifically ''not'' inquilines, because by definition they have a deleterious effect on the host species, while inquilines have not been confirmed to do so. In the specific case of termites, the term " ...
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Habrotrocha Rosa
''Habrotrocha rosa'' is a bdelloid rotifer that has been found in leaf litter, soil, and moss in Europe and New Zealand and also in North America within the pitchers of ''Sarracenia purpurea'', the purple pitcher plant. It is one of many species that make up the inquiline In zoology, an inquiline (from Latin ''inquilinus'', "lodger" or "tenant") is an animal that lives commensally in the nest, burrow, or dwelling place of an animal of another species. For example, some organisms, such as insects, may live in the ... community that thrives within the water-retaining pitcher-shaped leaves of ''S. purpurea''.Bateman, L. E. (1987). A bdelloid rotifer living as an inquiline in leaves of the pitcher plant, ''Sarracenia purpurea''. ''Hydrobiologia'', 147: 129-133. References Bdelloidea Sarracenia purpurea inquilines Animals described in 1949 {{rotifer-stub ...
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Gall Wasps
Gall wasps, also wikt:gallfly#Usage notes, traditionally called gallflies, are hymenopterans of the family Cynipidae in the wasp superfamily Cynipoidea. Their common name comes from the galls they induce on plants for larval development. About 1,300 species of this generally very small creature () are known worldwide, with about 360 species of 36 different genera in Europe and some 800 species in North America. Features Like all Apocrita, gall wasps have a distinctive body shape, the so-called Petiole (insect anatomy), wasp waist. The first abdominal tergum (the propodeum) is conjoined with the Thorax (insect anatomy), thorax, while the second abdominal segment forms a sort of shaft, the Petiole (insect anatomy), petiole. The petiole connects with the gaster (insect anatomy), gaster, which is the functional abdomen in apocritan wasps, starting with the third abdominal segment proper. Together, the petiole and the gaster form the metasoma, while the thorax and the propodeum mak ...
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Metriocnemus Knabi
''Metriocnemus knabi'', the pitcher plant midge, is an inquiline midge found only in the phytotelma of the purple pitcher plant, ''Sarracenia purpurea''. In this microcommunity of bacteria, rotifers, protozoa, and other dipteran larva like ''Wyeomyia smithii ''Wyeomyia smithii'', the pitcher plant mosquito, is an inquiline mosquito that completes its pre-adult life cycle in the phytotelma (water-filled cavity) of the purple pitcher plant, ''Sarracenia purpurea''. In this microcommunity of bacteria, r ...'', ''M. knabi'' specializes by feeding mostly on the carcasses of drowned insects captured by the plant that collect at the bottom of the pitcher. It is found in the eastern United States, as far north as Maine and south to North Carolina. References Chironomidae Sarracenia purpurea inquilines Diptera of North America Insects described in 1904 Taxa named by Daniel William Coquillett {{Chironomidae-stub ...
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Wyeomyia Smithii
''Wyeomyia smithii'', the pitcher plant mosquito, is an inquiline mosquito that completes its pre-adult life cycle in the phytotelma (water-filled cavity) of the purple pitcher plant, ''Sarracenia purpurea''. In this microcommunity of bacteria, rotifers, protozoa, and midges, ''W. smithii'' is the top-level predator; its presence determines the bacterial species diversity within the pitcher. ''W. smithii'' is not a pest mosquito in general. The northern US population does not consume blood at all, while the southern US populations only consume blood after laying an initial egg batch; even then they appear disinterested in feeding. In fact, it is the only known mosquito to have both obligatory biting and non-biting populations in the same species. Life cycle Description of the life cycle The life cycle of ''Wyeomyia smithii'' begins in either late spring or early fall when the adult female lays her eggs in the phytotelma of a purple pitcher plant. The eggs then gestate in the pitc ...
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Cynipidae
Gall wasps, also wikt:gallfly#Usage notes, traditionally called gallflies, are hymenopterans of the family Cynipidae in the wasp superfamily Cynipoidea. Their common name comes from the galls they induce on plants for larval development. About 1,300 species of this generally very small creature () are known worldwide, with about 360 species of 36 different genera in Europe and some 800 species in North America. Features Like all Apocrita, gall wasps have a distinctive body shape, the so-called Petiole (insect anatomy), wasp waist. The first abdominal tergum (the propodeum) is conjoined with the Thorax (insect anatomy), thorax, while the second abdominal segment forms a sort of shaft, the Petiole (insect anatomy), petiole. The petiole connects with the gaster (insect anatomy), gaster, which is the functional abdomen in apocritan wasps, starting with the third abdominal segment proper. Together, the petiole and the gaster form the metasoma, while the thorax and the propodeum mak ...
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Ants
Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. More than 13,800 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified. They are easily identified by their geniculate (elbowed) antennae and the distinctive node-like structure that forms their slender waists. Ants form colonies that range in size from a few dozen individuals often living in small natural cavities to highly organised colonies that may occupy large territories with sizeable nest that consist of millions of individuals or into the hundreds of millions in super colonies. Typical colonies consist of various castes of sterile, wingless females, most of which are workers (ergates), as well as soldiers (dinergates) and other specialised groups. Nearly all ant colonies also have some fertile males called "drones" and one or more fertile females called "queens ...
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Wyeomyia Smithii 1
''Wyeomyia'' is a genus of mosquitoes first described in 1901 by Frederick Vincent Theobald.Mosquito Taxonomic Inventory: ''Wyeomyia Theobald, 1901'', http://mosquito-taxonomic-inventory.info/simpletaxonomy/term/6251, accessed August 5, 2017. The genus's 140 species can be difficult to characterize because of their diversity and the need for additional taxonomic work to further delineate them. Adults resemble genus ''Limatus'' and ''Sabethes '' mosquitoes more closely than other genera in the New World tribe Sabethini, but differ by their Mesothorax, scutal scales ranging in color from a relatively dull bronzy with a slight metallic sheen in most species, to a metallic gold. There are other distinguishing characters as well.Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit: "Culicidae » Culicinae » Sabethini » ''Wyeomyia''" in ''Systematic Catalog of Culicidae'', http://www.wrbu.org/mqID/mq_gnra/wyeomyia.htm, accessed August 5, 2017.Robin McLeod with additional contributions by V. Belov: Genus ...
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Heliamphora
The genus ''Heliamphora'' ( or ; Greek language, Greek: ''helos'' "marsh" and ''amphoreus'' "amphora") contains 24 species of pitcher plants endemism, endemic to South America.McPherson, S., A. Wistuba, A. Fleischmann & J. Nerz 2011. ''Sarraceniaceae of South America''. Redfern Natural History Productions, Poole. The species are collectively known as sun pitchers, based on the mistaken notion that the ''heli'' of ''Heliamphora'' is from the Greek ''helios'', meaning "sun". The name instead derives from the Greek ''helos'', meaning "marsh", so a more accurate translation of their scientific name would be marsh pitcher plants. Species in the genus ''Heliamphora'' are carnivorous plants that consist of a modified leaf form that is fused into a tubular shape. They have evolved mechanisms to attract, trap, and kill insects; and control the amount of water in the pitcher. At least one species (''Heliamphora tatei, H. tatei'') produces its own proteolysis, proteolytic enzymes that allo ...
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Cephalotus
''Cephalotus'' ( or ; Greek: ''κεφαλή'' "head", and ''οὔς''/''ὠτός'' "ear", to describe the head of the anthers) is a genus which contains one species, ''Cephalotus follicularis'' the Albany pitcher plant, a small carnivorous plant, carnivorous pitcher plant. The pit-fall traps of the modified leaves have inspired the common names for this plant, which also include Western Australian pitcher plant, Australian pitcher plant, or fly-catcher plant. It is an evergreen herb that is endemic to peaty swamps in the southwestern corner of Western Australia. As with the unrelated ''Nepenthes'', it catches its victims with Carnivorous plant#Pitfall traps, pitfall traps. Description ''Cephalotus follicularis'' is a small, low growing, herbaceous species. Evergreen leaves appear from underground rhizomes, are simple with an entire leaf blade, and lie close to the ground. The insectivorous leaves are small and have the appearance of moccasin (footwear), moccasins, forming th ...
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Nepenthes
''Nepenthes'' ( ) is a genus of carnivorous plants, also known as tropical pitcher plants, or monkey cups, in the monotypic family Nepenthaceae. The genus includes about 170 species, and numerous natural and many cultivated hybrids. They are mostly liana-forming plants of the Old World tropics, ranging from South China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines; westward to Madagascar (two species) and the Seychelles (one); southward to Australia (four) and New Caledonia (one); and northward to India (one) and Sri Lanka (one). The greatest diversity occurs on Borneo, Sumatra, and the Philippines, with many endemic species. Many are plants of hot, humid, lowland areas, but most are tropical, montane plants, receiving warm days but cool to cold, humid nights year-round. A few are considered tropical alpine, with cool days and nights near freezing. The name "monkey cups" refers to the fact that monkeys were once thought to drink rainwater from the pitchers. Description ''Nepent ...
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Sarracenia Purpurea
''Sarracenia purpurea'', the purple pitcher plant, northern pitcher plant, turtle socks, or side-saddle flower, is a carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae. Taxonomy The species is further divided into two subspecies, ''S. purpurea'' subsp. ''purpurea'' and ''S. purpurea'' subsp. ''venosa''. The former is found north of New Jersey north, while the latter is found south of New Jersey and tolerates warmer temperatures. In 1999, ''Sarracenia purpurea'' subsp. ''venosa'' var. ''burkii'' was described as a species of its own: ''Sarracenia rosea''. This re-ranking has been debated among carnivorous plant enthusiasts since then, but further Morphology (biology), morphological evidence has supported the split. The following species and infraspecific Taxon, taxa are usually recognized: *''Sarracenia purpurea'' subsp. ''purpurea'' **''Sarracenia purpurea'' subsp. ''purpurea'' f. ''heterophylla'' **''Sarracenia purpurea'' subsp. ''purpurea'' f. ''ruplicola'' (invalid) *''Sarracenia p ...
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Phytotelma
Phytotelma (plural phytotelmata) is a small water-filled cavity in a terrestrial plant. The water accumulated within these plants may serve as the habitat for associated fauna and flora. A rich literature in German summarised by Thienemann (1954) developed many aspects of phytotelm biology. Reviews of the subject by Kitching (1971) and Maguire (1971) introduced the concept of phytotelmata to English-speaking readers. A multi-authored book edited by Frank and Lounibos (1983)Frank, J.H. and Lounibos, L.P. (1983) ''Phytotelmata: Terrestrial plants as hosts for aquatic insect communities'', Plexus Press. dealt in 11 chapters with classification of phytotelmata, and with phytotelmata provided by bamboo internodes, banana leaf axils, bromeliad leaf axils, '' Nepenthes'' pitchers, '' Sarracenia'' pitchers, tree holes, and '' Heliconia'' flower bracts and leaf rolls. A classification of phytotelmata by Kitching (2000) recognizes five principal types: bromeliad tanks, certain car ...
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