Holoverticata

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Holoverticata: /hɔloʊvərtɪˈkɑtə/

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Summary

Woodlice are terrestrial isopods that thrive in damp environments, playing essential roles in soil health and nutrient cycling while being popular pets due to their varied morphology and adaptations for terrestrial life.

Physical Characteristics

Woodlice have a shell-like exoskeleton, segmented and dorso-ventrally flattened body with seven pairs of jointed legs. They exhibit a range of color and texture forms, and some species can roll into a roughly spherical shape (conglobate).

Identification Tips

Look for woodlice under damp, dark places such as rocks and logs. They can be identified by their segmented bodies and the presence of seven pairs of legs, along with their ability to roll into a ball in some species.

Habitat

Woodlice thrive in damp, dark environments, typically found under rocks and logs. Some species can inhabit arid environments and others have returned to aquatic ecosystems.

Distribution

Woodlice are found worldwide, particularly in various terrestrial biomes, ranging from coastal zones to deserts and high altitudes up to 4,725 m (15,500 ft).

Diet

Woodlice are detritivores, primarily feeding on decaying plant matter.

Life Cycle

Woodlice go through a unique moulting process in two stages, maintaining partial mobility during this time. Immature young, known as mancae, hatch from eggs and undergo several molts to maturity.

Reproduction

Female woodlice carry fertilised eggs in a marsupium located on the underside of their bodies. Most species exhibit maternal care post-hatching, with a few capable of asexual reproduction.

Predators

Woodlice are preyed upon by various insectivores, including spiders (e.g., Dysdera crocata) and land planarians (e.g., Luteostriata abundans).

Ecosystem Role

Woodlice play a crucial role in nutrient cycling as decomposers, helping to break down organic matter.

Economic Impact

Woodlice can be beneficial in gardens as they contribute to soil health but may occasionally feed on cultivated plants, such as strawberries and tender seedlings.

Cultural Significance

Woodlice are popular as terrarium pets due to their varied appearances and ease of care.

Collecting Methods

• Hand collection in damp areas
• Using traps to capture woodlice under logs or rocks

Preservation Methods

• Ethanol preservation
• Drying and pinning for scientific study

Evolution

Woodlice evolved from marine isopods that transitioned to terrestrial life, a unique adaptation for crustaceans. Fossil evidence suggests they have existed since the mid-Cretaceous period, with their evolution likely predating the breakup of Pangaea.

Similar Taxa

• Pill millipedes (Glomerida)
• Marine isopods
• Dirt-dwelling isopods

Misconceptions

Despite being called woodlice, they are not lice and are not parasitic. Additionally, although some species can roll into a ball, not all woodlice have this ability.

Tags

• woodlice
• isopods
• Oniscidea
• terrestrial life
• decomposers