Effect of cuticular tagging on the locomotor activity rhythm of the desert woodlouse Hemilepistus reaumurii

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to test the effect of two tagging product on the locomotor rhythm parameters of individuals of the desert isopod Hemilepistus reaumurii collected from the marginal zone of a salt lake in Bchachma (Middle of Tunisia) in laboratory-controlled conditions. Results showed that locomotor activity of control individuals (CI) and individuals tagged with oil painting (IOP) was very similar highlighting sensitivity to dawn and dusk, respectively. Further, results showed that CI locomotor rhythm was statistically more stable than that of IOP and individual tagged with nail polish (INP). Additionally, individuals tagged with nail polish (INP) were more active than CI and IOP. This could highlight the effect of this last marking product on the locomotor rhythm parameters of H. reaumurii.

KEYWORDS:

• Locomotor rhythm
• oil painting
• nail polish
• marking
• isopods

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Mrs. Sabiha KHIARI-AYARI, Ms. Nada AYARI and Ms. Nabiha AYARI for their important contribution in accomplishing the fieldwork of this study.

We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on an earlier version of this paper.

Disclosure Statement

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

Complying with ethics of experimentation

Ethical approval

The present study did not involve human participants.

All the applicable institutional guidelines for welfare, care and use of animals were followed.

Additional information

Funding

The present study was supported by the Research Laboratory of Diversity, Management and Conservation of Biological Systems: [Grant Number LR18ES06] and Faculty of Science of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar.