Table 2 δ13C and ∆15N values found for the aboveground invertebrates of S. sabulicola FPOs. The feeding habits from each taxa were indicated as expected diet (previous studies) and observed diet (present study).
From: The hidden oases: unveiling trophic dynamics in Namib's fog plant ecosystem
Taxon | n | Expected diet | Source | Observed diet | δ13C | ∆15N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zygoribatula sp. | 5 (pooled) | Saprophilous, fungivorous | Saprophilous, fungivorous | − 14.7 ± 0.7‰ | 0.05 ± 0.6‰ | |
Diapsididae sp. | 5 (pooled) | Sap feeder | Saprophilous/primary consumer | − 15.7 ± 0.8‰ | 0.9 ± 0.6‰ | |
Liposcelis sp. | 9 | Saprophilous, fungivorous | Saprophilous | − 20.6 ± 3.3‰ | 2.8 ± 1.9‰ | |
Deltocephalinae sp. | 3 | Sap feeder | Primary consumer | − 13.9 ± 0.4‰ | 3.2 ± 1.2‰ | |
Thysanina sp. | 1 | Predator | Predator | − 12.8‰ | 4.0‰ | |
Nanolpium sp. | 4 | Predator | Predator | − 18.4 ± 2.5‰ | 5.5 ± 0.7‰ | |
Cybocephalus sp. | 4 | Scale insect’s predator | Saprophilous, fungivorous | − 13.5 ± 0.2‰ | 5.9 ± 2.8‰ | |
Camponotus detritus | 6 | Mainly honeydew feeder | Detritivore, | − 15.8 ± 1.8 | 6.6 ± 0.9‰ | |
Onymacris plana | 8 | Omnivorous, feeds mainly on plant detritus but also on green plants and dead animals | Secondary consumer/omnivorous | − 17.2 ± 1.2 | 7.5 ± 2.1‰ | |
Physadesmia globosa | 4 | No specific diet, probably omnivorous | Secondary consumer/omnivore | − 25.4 ± 0.6 | 7.6 ± 2.1‰ | |
Hycleus zigzagus | 2 | Flowering parts of plants | Observed to feed on Nara/omnivorous | − 18.4 ± 0.6 | 10.4 ± 1.1 | |
Salticinae sp. | 2 | Predator | Predator | − 14.1 ± 0.3‰ | 10.9 ± 0.9‰ | |
Haplothrips sp. | 6 | Herbivorous, pollinizer | Possibly predator/secondary consumer | − 17.8 ± 1.9‰ | 11.4 ± 2.5‰ | |
Sibinia sp. | 5 | Herbivorous | Possibly predator/secondary consumer | − 21.0 ± 1.6‰ | 13.7 ± 1.4‰ | |
Haltichellinae sp. | 2 | Carnivorous during larval development then nectar or honeydew feeder | Predator | − 14.0 ± 0.3‰ | 16.7 ± 0.4‰ |
