Adaptive strategies of edaphic arthropods

For those arthropod species adapted for living below the soil surface, the soil is a refuge from the biotic and abiotic perturbations existing above g round. Convergent morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations of epedaphic, euedaphic, and hemiedaphic arthropods to selective aspects of subterranean existence are examined in light of overlapping ecological nic hes. The abiotic impact of the soil environment and its relationship to art hropod evolution, radiation, and ecology are discussed as well. Specific ar eas addressed include the invasion of land by marine arthropods, the impact of morphology on arthropod mobility, osmoregulatory/respiratory systems, a nd defensive strategies.