Submitted by: Submitted by wbc2783
Views: 566
Words: 1013
Pages: 5
Category: Science and Technology
Date Submitted: 11/28/2010 02:01 PM
Isopods Choose a Suitable Habitat to Avoid Desiccation
Abstract
We investigated the ability of two species of terrestrial isopods, Armadillidium vulgare and the Porcellio laevis, to choose what type of environment they will inhabit. A habitat choice chamber was provided with one side being wet and the other side being dry to simulate different environmental conditions. The experiment was done using one species at a time to determine habitat preference. Then each species were placed together in the chambers to examine possible alterations in behavior resulting from the presence of the other species. We found that there were differences in habitat preference in both isolated and mixed trials (tcalc= ;p < 0.05). The isopods both preferred cool, moist environments over dry environments. Our results showed that isopods prefer a moist environment to support bodily needs. Biologically, choosing a suitable habitat is essential for organisms because without nutrients, or suitable surroundings survival will be severely limited for a species.
Key Terms – Aggregation pheromones, crustacea climate, desiccation, hydroreceptors, Isopods, pillbug, sowbug
Introduction
Terrestrial isopods have been studied for a long time and they have found that many of them act differently with a change in humidity. They detect small changes in humidity by using hydroreceptors, located on their thoraces, and their antennae. Most isopods have a problem with losing moisture and drying out. Behavior mechanisms control their water loss, and their water intake is done by ingesting food. They can also drink water through their cuticle but cannot control their tracheal systems. The home range and geographical range/distribution is very large for these isopods. During the seasonally dry periods of summer and early fall, isopod populations are aggregated with higher degrees of patchiness and distance between inhabited patches (Grosholz 1993). Most dry isopods...