Megalorchestia corniculata

Megalorchestia corniculata
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Amphipoda
Family:	Talitridae
Genus:	Megalorchestia
Species:	M. corniculata
Binomial name
Megalorchestia corniculata (Stout, 1913)

Megalorchestia corniculata is a species of beach hopper in the family Talitridae. ^{[1] [2]}

Ecological role

Megalorchestia corniculata is a crucial consumer of wrack. By consuming washed-up seaweed, Megalorchestia corniculata helps process it and contributes to nutrient cycling in sandy beach ecosystems. Megalorchestia corniculata plays a vital role in breaking down organic matter like kelp, which promotes nutrient availability in intertidal environments. Consuming it and excreting ammonium enhances the nutrient cycling in sandy beaches. ^[3]

References

1. "Megalorchestia corniculata Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
2. "Megalorchestia corniculata species Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
3. Lowman, Heili E.; Emery, Kyle A.; Kubler-Dudgeon, Lila; Dugan, Jenifer E.; Melack, John M. (5 April 2019). "Contribution of macroalgal wrack consumers to dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations in intertidal pore waters of sandy beaches". Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 219: 363–371. Bibcode:2019ECSS..219..363L. doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2019.02.004 .