Armadilloniscus ellipticus
(Harger, 1878)
Common Driftclinger
Armadilloniscus ellipticus is a small terrestrial isopod commonly known as the Common Driftclinger. It belongs to the Detonidae within the suborder Oniscidea (woodlice). The has an exceptionally broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents and oceanic islands. It is frequently recorded in coastal and driftwood .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Armadilloniscus ellipticus: //ˌɑːrməˌdɪloʊˈnɪskəs ɪˈlɪptɪkəs//
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Habitat
Coastal environments; frequently associated with driftwood and wrack lines in intertidal zones. Observations from the Azores (Faial, Pico, Santa Maria, Terceira) indicate establishment on oceanic islands.
Distribution
North America; Oceania; Europe; temperate Asia; Africa; Caribbean; Azores (Faial, Pico, Santa Maria, Terceira). The broad distribution suggests either natural capacity or human-mediated introduction to multiple regions.
Behavior
The 'Driftclinger' suggests association with drift material in coastal , though specific behavioral details have not been documented.
More Details
Family Assignment Note
Sources differ on placement: GBIF and Catalogue of Life assign this to Detonidae, while NCBI places it in Scyphacidae. This discrepancy may reflect ongoing taxonomic revision in the group.
Subspecies Listing Anomaly
The Wikipedia source lists under 'Armadilloniscus littoralis' rather than A. ellipticus, suggesting a possible taxonomic confusion or error in the source material.