EXTRAORAL DIGESTION IN PREDACEOUS TERRESTRIAL ARTHROPODA

At least 74% of predaceous land-dwelling arthropods use extra-oral dig estion (EOD) as a means of utilizing relatively large prey with intrac table cuticles. Through the injection of potent hydrolytic enzymes, ei ther by refluxing or nonrefluxing application, these predators greatly increase the efficiency of prey extraction and nutrient concentration . The advantages of EOD are expressed ecologically as an abbreviation of handling time and an increase in the nutrient density of consumed f ood, allowing small predators to consume relatively large prey. The ba sis of EOD is a highly coordinated combination of biochemical, morphol ogical, and behavioral adaptations that vary with different taxa.