title: Feeding preference of the South American endemic anomuran Aegla platensis (Decapoda, Anomura, Aeglidae).
abstract: In order to determine the feeding preference of Aegla platensis in streams and the importance of microorganisms in its detritivore diet, we carried out two experiments designed to evaluate the food preferences of A. platensis (1) among leaves with different levels of microbial colonization and (2) among insect larvae (Chironomidae, Simuliidae, Hydropsychidae) and microbially conditioned leaves. A. platensis preferred animal over plant food items; when only leaves were offered, this aeglid preferred the leaves with higher levels of microorganism conditioning.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus do Litoral Paulista,São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil. kacolpo@clp.unesp.br
authors.forename: Karine Delevati
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Colpo
authors.forename: Liara Colpo
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wesz
authors.forename: Ludmilla Oliveira
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D033381:Anomura / Q000502:physiology*; D005518:Food Preferences; D007313:Insecta / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000382:microbiology; D045483:Rivers