Armadillidium depressum

Armadillidium depressum, the Southern Pill Woodlouse[5] is a large, relatively common British species of woodlouse characterized by its "splayed" appearance.

Armadillidium depressum
Drawing of Armadillidium depressum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Crustacea
Class:
Malacostraca
Order:
Isopoda
Suborder:
Oniscidea
Family:
Armadillidiidae
Genus:
Armadillidium
Species:
A. depressum
Binomial name
Armadillidium depressum
Brandt, 1833 [1]
Range[2][3]
Synonyms [4]

Armadillidium gerstaeckeri Armadillidium virescens

Description

Armadillidium depressum may reach a length of 20 millimetres (0.71 in) compared to 18 millimetres for Armadillidium vulgare, and is capable of rolling into a ball when disturbed. Like Armadillidium nasatum, it can be distinguished from Armadillidium vulgare by the gap it leaves when enrolled, instead of completely enclosing.[2][6] Another distinguishing feature is that its pleon curve outwards, causing a splayed appearance. Otherwise, the appearance of A. depressum is very similar to A. vulgare in dark grey to black color.[2][5]

A. depressum maximum length is 20 millimetres, compared to A. vulgare 18 millimetres.[2]

Ecology

Like other woodlice, Armadillidium depressum feeds on dead plant matter, and lives for 3 years.[5] A. depressum can be seen all year long.[5]

Distribution

The majority of specimens of Armadillidium depressum are concentrated in southwest Britain, near the English channel, but small populations also occur in various towns scattered throughout England.[2] It is a synanthropic species, living on walls and under stones in towns and old houses.[2][5]

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References
  1. "Armadillidium depressum Brandt, 1833". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  2. Armadillidium depressum Brandt, 1833
  4. Helmut Schmalfuss (2003). "World catalog of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) — revised and updated version" (PDF). Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde, Serie A. 654: 341 pp.
  5. Southern Pill Woodlouse


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