MICROFAUNA: What is and examples

The term microfauna refers to Microanimal species set that inhabit simultaneously in a certain geographical region. Like the Mesofauna, the macrofauna and the megafauna, it is one of the types of fauna that exist on the planet Earth.

Microanimales are tiny animals that can only be seen and studied with the help of a microscope. They have a size less than 0.1 millimeters (or 100 micrometers), although many consider that species of up to 0.199 millimeters of size (or 199 micrometers) are also part of this group.

Some authors state that microfauna is composed Both microanimales and protozoa (that belong to the Protist kingdom). This cannot be considered true if we adjust to the literal definition of the word microfauna; Well, micro- means small and- it means animal.

Microfauna characteristics

Based on this concept, we can make some characteristics of the microfauna:

• The microfauna is part of the Geographic region fauna to which it belongs.
• The microfauna is part of the biozynosis of the ecosystem to which it belongs. It is specifically included Inside the microbiota.
• The microfauna of a certain ecosystem too Represents microscopic zoocelenosis of it.
• All animals that make up the microfaunas They are invertebrates. This means that they lack a spine and bone skeleton. You can read more about invertebrate animals: examples and characteristics in this other post.
• The microanimals that make up the microfaunas have all the characteristics of the animal kingdom. Among them we can emphasize that they are multicellular organisms composed of eukaryotic cells, which are fed heterotrophicly through ingestion, and that are reproduced in a sexual way (there are species that can be reproduced both sexually and asexually). Read this article to know more about heterotrophic organisms: what are, characteristics and examples.
• The microfauna of a certain ecosystem forms part of the microbiocenesis of it.
• Microfaunas are part of all terrestrial ecosystems and biomes. To facilitate their study, they are included within microecosystems and microbiomas. If you want to know more, here we leave you this other article with the explanation of the differences between ecosystem and bioma.

Main representatives of microfauna

Next, we go to the main types of microfauna that exist:

• The nematodes.
• The copepods.
• The rotifers.
• The Tardigrados.
• The loricifers.
• Diplostraeos.
• Some species of mites.
• The microscopic youth specimens of some species of insects, arachnids, anelids, crustaceans and mollusks. If you want to know more about mollusks: characteristics, types and examples, do not hesitate to visit this article that we recommend.

Next we will explain some of the most common microfaunas that exist on Earth.

EDAPICA MICROFAUNA, Earth’s microedafofauna or microfauna of terrestrial soils is one that is present in all Earth surface floors. The microanimals that compose it are indispensable for its geographical regions because together with other types of microorganisms:

• They allow it to be Decomposes organic matter and certain types of inorganic matter.
• They allow it to be perpetuate the trophic chains and the cycle of energy and matter. Do not hesitate to read this article about what a trophic chain and examples are to know more about the subject.
• They make it possible for nutrients and soils to be fertile.
• They favor that proliferate micro and macroflora.
• They allow populations of certain pathogenic microorganisms to be controlled.

The main representatives of the edaphic microfauna are the nematodes, colloquially known as Round worms or cylindrical worms. If you want to know more about what the nematodes are: characteristics, classification and examples, visit this other article.

The microscopic infauna, microfauna of marine soils or microedafofauna marina is the one that is made up of all those benthic microanimals that inhabit in he Interior and the surface of marine soils. They are of vital importance for aquatic ecosystems because:

• They serve as food for many species larger.
• They help decompose organic matter: if you want to know what organic and inorganic matter is and examples, we recommend this article of Ecology Verde.
• Allow the Soil fertility of the seabed.

The main representatives of the Microedafofauna Marina are the nematodes, the rotifers, the copepods, the ostracods and the tardigrades.

Microzooplankton is the Zooplankton type formed by aquatic animals whose size ranges between 0.02 and 0.2 millimeters (or 20 and 200 micrometers respectively). Unlike benthic microanimal, the microzooplankton inhabits the water columns mainly.

It is part of the microplankton and plankton of the aquatic ecosystem to which it belongs and is the common microfauna of all the bodies of fresh and salty water in the world. It is of vital importance for aquatic biomes because:

• Constitutes the Food chain base Of aquatic ecosystems: together with microfitplankton, it serves as food for hundreds of thousands of species and decomposes organic matter. You can read this article about what an aquatic ecosystem is.
• Play a fundamental role in various biogeochemical cycles: Among them that of energy and matter, and that of oxygen and nitrogen fixation.
• It’s a Quality Bioindicator and the Water pollution level.

Although species that constitute microzooplankton may vary according to:

• The geographical location.
• The depth
• The temperature.
• Other physicochemical water factors.

Even so, in essence it is composed of nematodes, rotifers, ostracy, copepods, tarded and other microscopic invertebrates and their larvae.

We leave you this article about what zooplankton is so you can complete your information on the subject.

Veterinarians, biologists and aquarists from all over the world affirm that in order to maintain the health of an aquarium ecosystem it is necessary to regulate the microfauna of it artificially.

If an aquarium is possessed, populations of certain beneficial microanimals must be introduced and controlled Benign microfauna. Among them we can highlight certain species of rotifers, copepods and other types of microscopic crustaceans. Some of its functions are based on:

• It serves as food for corals, crustaceans and some fish species.
• It helps eliminate pathogenic and/or unwanted bacteria, bacteria and protists. Are algae plants? Discover the answer in this ecology article that we recommend.
• Purifies water when feeding on waste and decomposition organic matter.

Here are more information about what biocenosis is: explanation and examples.

The microfauna of the human body is composed of all those microanimals that inhabit our body. They are part of the zoocelenosis of the human body and can be beneficial, harmful or diners.

Our digestive system, skin and eyelashes are some concentration points of various microanimal species. Some of them are:

• Dust mites: When we sleep, dust mites found in our beds get on the body and consume our dead skin cells.
• Skin mites: Some people have species mites Demodex Brevis and Demodex Folliculorum in its eyelashes, hair follicles and/or sebaceous glands. Sometimes these microanimals can cause discomfort to their guests.
• Scabiosis mites: scabiosis is a skin disease caused by mites Sarcoptes Scabiei. The males of this species measure 150 to 250 microns.

Finally, it is necessary to comment that our intestinal microbiota is composed of several species of microanimales. Some are beneficial and contribute to digestion, while others are parasites and can cause discomfort and disease.

If you want to read more articles similar to MICROFAUNA: What is and exampleswe recommend that you enter our biodiversity category.