The potential role of phoresy in the evolution of parasitism: radiolabelling (tritium) evidence from an astigmatid mite

摘要: Using tritium as a radiolabel marker of interspecific fluid transfer, we present experimental evidence that the heteromorphic deutonymph an astigmatid mite (Hemisarcoptes cooremani) acquires materials (at least water) directly from haemolymph its beetle host (Chilocorus cacti). This acquisition is above obtained atmospheric vapour. The material acquired necessary for completion ontogeny H. cooremani and likely procured through action caudal ventral suckers (hypopus). On gross morphological criteria, this mite-beetle relationship was previously defined phoretic (for dispersal). Scanning electron photomicrographs physical between hypopodes heetles shed light on ‘parasitic’ nature hypopus cooremani. Our findings are discussed in terms evolution parasitism free-living form. transition into facilitated by represents classic ‘wolf-insheep's-clothing’ strategy. heteromorph retains characteristic morphology while exploiting transit.