Effects of moisture decrease on behavioural and life history traits in three species of terrestrial isopods

Abstract

In the context of the predicted global warming, we investigated whether the feeding activity and the behaviour of three Oniscidean species (Porcellionides pruinosus, Porcellio laevis and Armadillidium tunisiense) would be affected by the relative humidity (RH) decrease. A decreasing gradient of relative humidity (90%, 70% and 50%) was used to study the impact of predicted climate change on the survival rate, litter consumption rate, growth efficiency, faeces production, localization and stress behaviour within woodlice. After 3 weeks of exposure, we found that all species were variously affected by the RH decrease. The species A. tunisiense showed to be the least affected by the increased dry conditions. In driest conditions, woodlice spend less time at foraging inducing a low rate of litter consumption and faeces production. Perhaps, the authors findings could contribute to changes in the decomposition process and then the soil functionality.

Keywords:

• Climate change
• litter degradation
• microclimate conditions
• Oniscidea
• relative humidity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Tunis El Manar (Tunisia).