Phoresis (biology)
Encyclopedia
In biology
, the term phoresis is an inter-species biological interaction in ecology and refers to a form of symbiosis
where the symbiont, termed as the phoront, is mechanically transported by its host
. Neither organism is physiologically dependent on the other.
Examples may be found in the arthropod
s associated with sloth
s. The coprophagous sloth moths such as Bradipodicola hahneli
and Cryptoses choloepi
, are unusual in that they are exclusively found inhabiting the fur of the sloth
s, mammals found in central
and South America
. The sloth provides transport to the moths whose females oviposit in the droppings of sloths, larvae feed on it and newly-hatched moths move into the forest canopy in search of a new sloth host.
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, the term phoresis is an inter-species biological interaction in ecology and refers to a form of symbiosis
Symbiosis
Symbiosis is close and often long-term interaction between different biological species. In 1877 Bennett used the word symbiosis to describe the mutualistic relationship in lichens...
where the symbiont, termed as the phoront, is mechanically transported by its host
Host (biology)
In biology, a host is an organism that harbors a parasite, or a mutual or commensal symbiont, typically providing nourishment and shelter. In botany, a host plant is one that supplies food resources and substrate for certain insects or other fauna...
. Neither organism is physiologically dependent on the other.
Examples may be found in the arthropod
Arthropod
An arthropod is an invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton , a segmented body, and jointed appendages. Arthropods are members of the phylum Arthropoda , and include the insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and others...
s associated with sloth
Sloth
Sloths are the six species of medium-sized mammals belonging to the families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae , part of the order Pilosa and therefore related to armadillos and anteaters, which sport a similar set of specialized claws.They are arboreal residents of the jungles of Central and South...
s. The coprophagous sloth moths such as Bradipodicola hahneli
Bradipodicola hahneli
Bradypodicola hahneli is a sloth moth in the Pyralidae family that lives exclusively in the fur of the Pale-throated Three-toed Sloth , a three-toed sloth found in South America. It is the only species of the Bradypodicola genus.The three-toed sloth’s fur forms a micro-ecozone inhabited by green...
and Cryptoses choloepi
Cryptoses choloepi
Cryptoses choloepi is a sloth moth in the snout moth family that lives exclusively in the fur of sloths, mammals found in South and Central America....
, are unusual in that they are exclusively found inhabiting the fur of the sloth
Sloth
Sloths are the six species of medium-sized mammals belonging to the families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae , part of the order Pilosa and therefore related to armadillos and anteaters, which sport a similar set of specialized claws.They are arboreal residents of the jungles of Central and South...
s, mammals found in central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. The sloth provides transport to the moths whose females oviposit in the droppings of sloths, larvae feed on it and newly-hatched moths move into the forest canopy in search of a new sloth host.