Microhabitat-specialization
Guides
Analgoidea
feather mites
Analgoidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Sarcoptiformes, comprising feather mites that live as permanent ectosymbionts on birds. Members occupy specific microhabitats on host plumage, with distributions influenced by feather morphology, aerodynamic forces, and host behavior. The superfamily includes approximately 15 families and shows high host specificity, with multiple species often coexisting on individual birds through niche partitioning.
Cicindela willistoni willistoni
Williston's Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni willistoni is a subspecies of tiger beetle endemic to saline and alkali flats in the southwestern United States. Adults and larvae occupy distinct microhabitats within these systems, with adults typically found along the water's edge. Larvae construct unique chimney-like turrets extending 1–4 cm above their burrow entrances, which function primarily for thermoregulation and attracting prey rather than flood prevention. The subspecies exhibits highly specialized habitat requirements and is part of complex habitat partitioning systems where multiple tiger beetle species coexist by occupying different microhabitats.
Gymnochthebius
minute moss beetles
Gymnochthebius is a genus of minute moss beetles in the family Hydraenidae, containing more than 60 described species. The genus is particularly diverse in Australia and Papua New Guinea, where 36 species have been documented. These small water beetles inhabit marginal zones of aquatic habitats and show microhabitat specialization correlated with morphological adaptations.
Scaphium
malva nut
Scaphium is a genus of approximately eight species of tropical canopy trees in the family Malvaceae, subfamily Sterculioideae. Species are native to tropical Asia, ranging from the eastern Himalayas through Indochina to Borneo and Sumatra. The genus name derives from the Greek skaphion (skiff), referring to the boat-shaped fruit. Several species are economically important; seeds of S. scaphigerum (malva nut) are used in traditional medicine and as a food additive for their mucilaginous properties.