Microfauna
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Soybean_cyst_nematode_and_egg_SEM.jpg/250px-Soybean_cyst_nematode_and_egg_SEM.jpg)
Microfauna (
Habitat
Microfauna are present in every habitat on Earth. They fill essential roles as decomposers and food sources for lower trophic levels, and are necessary to drive processes within larger organisms. Populations of microfauna can reach up to ~107 (~10,000,000) individuals g−1 (0.1g, or 1/10th of a gram), and are very common in plant litter, surface soils, and water films.[3] Many microfauna, such as nematodes, inhabit soil habitats. Plant parasitic nematodes inhabit the roots of various plants, while free-living nematodes live in soil water films.[3]
Microfauna also inhabit freshwater ecosystems. For example, freshwater microfauna in Australia include rotifers, ostracods, copepods, and cladocerans.[4] Rotifers are filter feeders that are usually found in fresh water and water films. They consume a variety of things including bacteria, algae, plant cells, and organic material.[3]
Tardigrades inhabit a variety of lichens and mosses. They need water in these areas to allow for gas exchange and to prevent them from desiccating.[5] Because of this they are considered aquatic. However, they have also been found in all kinds of environments that range from the deep sea to dunes. Tardigrades are considered omnivores that have specialized mouths called bucco pharyngeal apparatuses which they use to consume different microorganisms and plants in their environments.[5]
Role
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Model_of_the_plant_microbiome_%28phytobiome%29.jpg/293px-Model_of_the_plant_microbiome_%28phytobiome%29.jpg)
One particular example of the role of microfauna can be seen in soil, where they are important in the cycling of nutrients in
Soil micro-fauna can also impact microorganisms within the rhizosphere by affecting their diversity and accelerating microorganism turnover. This happens because of the microfauna's selective grazing and their ability to influence the resources within the soil.[8] For example, protozoa can help maintain the quality of the soil by grazing on soil bacteria. Through their grazing, the protozoa can help maintain populations of bacteria, allowing the bacteria to more efficiently decompose dead organic material which will improve the fertility of the soil.[9]
Soil microfauna are capable of digesting just about any organic substance, and some inorganic substances.[citation needed] These organisms are often essential links in the food chain between primary producers and larger species. For example, zooplankton are widespread microscopic animals and protists that feed on algae and detritus in the ocean, such as foraminifera.
Microfauna also aid in digestion and other processes in larger organisms.
Cryptozoa
The microfauna are the least understood of
Phyla
Examples of notable phyla that include some microfauna:
- Microscopic arthropoda:
- Dermatophagoides, ("Dust mites")
- Tettranychidae, ("Spider mites")
- Some Crustacea, ("Crustaceans")
- Tardigrada, ("Water bears" or "moss piglets")
- Rotifera, ("Wheel animals")
- Nematoda, ("Roundworms")
- Loricifera, these are recently discovered anaerobic species, which spend their entire lives in an anoxic environment.[10][11]
- Microscopic Images of Microfauna
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Rotifera (Habrotrocha rosa),type of rotifer only found in the leaves of Sarracenia purpurea
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Tardigrade that was extracted from moss
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Nematoda (Caenorhabditis elegans)
Similar Concepts
Macrofauna vs Microfauna
Macrofauna are organisms that are greater than 2mm in size that usually inhabit soft sediments.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Size_classification_of_soil_organisms.jpg/408px-Size_classification_of_soil_organisms.jpg)
Microflora vs Microfauna
Microflora are organisms that reside within
See also
References
- OCLC 706024344.
- ISBN 978-0-323-90558-9, retrieved 2024-02-13
- ^ , retrieved 2024-02-29
- ^ Walsh, Robert. "Australian Waterline" (PDF).
- ^ a b "Tardigrade". Animals. 2020-03-13. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
- .
- ^ Vaerewijck; Houf. "4 - The role of free-living protozoa in protecting foodborne pathogens". Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition. 2: 81–101 – via Science Direct.
- ISSN 1872-2032.
- ^ "Protozoan - Cell Structure, Nutrition, Reproduction | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- PMID 20376121.
- ^ "Briny deep basin may be home to animals thriving without oxygen". Science News. 9 April 2010.
- PMID 36253487.
- ISBN 978-0-12-813082-7, retrieved 2024-03-01
- ISBN 978-0-12-818783-8, retrieved 2024-03-01
- ^ "National Cancer Institute". www.cancer.gov. 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2024-03-01.