Arrenuridae
Arrenuridae is a of water (Hydrachnidia) in the Trombidiformes, containing at least three and approximately 110 described . Members are primarily freshwater as and , with that parasitize aquatic . The family exhibits complex mating behaviors mediated by chemical communication, including female-emitted that trigger male responses.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Arrenuridae: //əˌrɛnjʊˈraɪdiː//
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Images
Habitat
Freshwater environments including standing and flowing waters; shallow ponds with dense submerged vegetation.
Distribution
Palearctic region; recorded from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Diet
and are that primarily feed on Ostracoda.
Host Associations
- Diptera - larval parasitize aquatic
- Coleoptera - larval parasitize aquatic
Life Cycle
parasitize aquatic ; and are predatory.
Behavior
Males exhibit complex mating including behavior (stopping swimming), leg fanning (rotary motion of hind legs), and readiness posture (crooking hind legs at fourth and placing flat over ). Females walk with rotary fourth leg motion and climb onto male cauda when in proximity. Sperm transfer occurs after female is glued to male cauda. Rocking and vigorous jerking of cauda occur in later mating stages.
Ecological Role
of Ostracoda as and ; of aquatic (, ) as .