Common Waterslaters

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Asellidae: /əˈsɛlɪdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Summary

The Asellidae family, commonly known as Hoglice, comprises a diverse group of freshwater isopod crustaceans that inhabit both surface and subterranean aquatic environments. With over 350 species globally and a significant presence in North America, these organisms play crucial roles as decomposers and in aquatic food webs.

Physical Characteristics

The Asellidae family consists of isopod crustaceans that can be recognized by their flattened bodies, which may range from about 1 mm to 30 mm in length, and a segmented body comprising 14 segments. Some genera exhibit distinct features such as lateral plates on the head or modified appendages. Eyed species tend to be heavily pigmented, while eyeless species generally lack pigmentation.

Identification Tips

Identifying species within the Asellidae family can be complex, with key identification features being the shape and presence of lateral plates on the head, the structure of pleopods, and the characteristics of the first pereopod. Key genera can be delineated based on these traits, making it important to examine these morphological details closely.

Habitat

Asellidae can be found in a variety of aquatic environments, ranging from lakes, rivers, and wetlands to subterranean habitats including caves and groundwater systems. They inhabit both epigean (surface) and hypogean (subsurface) environments.

Distribution

This family is widely distributed across the globe, particularly with over 350 recognized species, including approximately 126 described species identified in North America, with various undescribed species across multiple genera.

Diet

Asellidae are generally detritivores, feeding on decomposing organic matter, algae, and other particulate materials found in their aquatic environments.

Life Cycle

Life cycles in Asellidae are generally simple, comprising egg, juvenile, and adult stages. Eggs are often brooded in a marsupium on the female’s abdomen until they hatch into juveniles, which resemble miniatures of the adults.

Reproduction

Asellidae exhibit sexual reproduction, with distinct male and female individuals. Males typically display secondary sexual characteristics, particularly in their pleopods during reproduction, allowing for the transfer of sperm to females.

Predators

Predation on Asellidae can include a variety of aquatic and semi-aquatic species such as fish, amphibians, and birds; they play a role in the food web by serving as prey for these animals.

Ecosystem Role

Asellidae play an important role in aquatic ecosystems, contributing to the breakdown of organic matter and serving as food for higher trophic levels, thus participating in nutrient cycling.

Collecting Methods

• Hand collection from aquatic habitats
• Net sampling in freshwater ecosystems
• Subterranean sampling in caves and aquifers

Preservation Methods

• Ethanol preservation
• Freeze-drying specimens
• Specimen drying and mounting for taxonomic studies

Evolution

The evolutionary history of Asellidae highlights their adaptation to both aquatic and subterranean environments. They are part of the larger Superorder Peracarida, sharing evolutionary traits with both terrestrial and marine isopods.

Similar Taxa

• Caecidotea
• Lirceus
• Asellus
• Remasellus
• Lirceolus
• Salmasellus
• Columbasellus
• Oregonasellus
• Calasellus
• Bowmanasellus

Misconceptions

There is a common misconception that all isopods are marine; however, Asellidae are exclusively freshwater or terrestrial, with no marine species occurring within this family.

Tags

• Crustacea
• Isopoda
• Freshwater
• Ecology
• Detritivores
• Biodiversity