Trophallaxis
Trophallaxis
Trophallaxis (/troʊfəˈlæksɪs/) is a term used in ethology to describe the transfer of food or other fluids among members of a community through mouth-to-mouth (stomodeal) or anus-to-mouth (proctodeal) feeding. The term was first coined by William Morton Wheeler in 1918.
Etymology
The term 'trophallaxis' is derived from the Greek words 'trophē' meaning 'nourishment' and 'allaxis' meaning 'exchange'. It was first used in the context of social insects, but has since been applied to other animals, including birds and mammals.
Related Terms
- Stomodeal Trophallaxis: This refers to the mouth-to-mouth transfer of food or other fluids among members of a community. It is commonly observed in social insects like ants and bees.
- Proctodeal Trophallaxis: This refers to the anus-to-mouth transfer of food or other fluids among members of a community. It is less common than stomodeal trophallaxis but is observed in certain species of termites and beetles.
- Ethology: This is the scientific study of animal behavior, usually with a focus on behavior under natural conditions.
- Social Insects: These are insects that live in colonies or have a social structure, such as ants, bees, wasps, and termites.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Trophallaxis
- Wikipedia's article - Trophallaxis
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