Porcellio laevis (commonly called the swift woodlouse, dairy cow isopod, or smooth slater in Australia) is a species of woodlouse in the genus Porcellio. As the species epithet laevis as well as the vernacular name "swift woodlouse" suggests, the species is capable of quick bursts of speed when provoked.
This species of woodlouse is distinctively large, appearing up to 20 millimetres (0.79 in) long with a smooth dorsal surface. The males can be identified by their long, spear-shaped uropods. Porcellio laevis has a smooth dorsal surface, which separates its visually from many other species of the Porcellio genus.[1]
It is commonly kept as a pet due to its somewhat easy care requirements and the variety of color morphs available. The species is easy to keep and can be easily established in a terrarium within a few weeks. "Dairy cow isopod" is a commonly used name for a readily available piebald strain of the species.
P. laevis was first recorded in Britain in the 13th century but it likely originated in North Africa.[2] It has a cosmopolitan distribution,[3] and has been introduced to Australia, including Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island.[4] The species is also found in North and South America, Western Asia, Japan and some Pacific islands.[5]
This species is found under rocks and fallen logs in damp areas, and is otherwise rarely encountered. Records from Ireland and Britain also place them in agricultural areas like gardens, farms, and stables where they can be found in dung and compost piles.
Development and maternal careEdit
Porcellio laevis directly develop from yolky eggs. Both the eggs and juveniles develop within a brood pouch called a marsupium until the first juvenile stage.[6][7] The use of the marsupium eliminates the need for there to be an external water source for early development since it is filled with fluid from the mother isopod. This is considered some of the most extensive parental care among terrestrial arthropods.
Ecological significanceEdit
Porcellio laevis plays an important role in nutrient cycling in habitats by breaking down dead plant material and animal waste, and thereby releasing essential nutrients back into the ecosystem.[8] The species is known to be an opportunistic feeder, consuming a wide range of organic matter such as leaves, moss, lichens, and even rotting wood. Therefore, P. laevis can thrive in many different ecological niches. It is also an important food source for many animals, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals. There have been studies that have shown that P. laevis have the ability to tolerate and even accumulate heavy metals in their bodies. This makes them potential candidates for bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils.[9] Bioremediation is the use of living organisms to remove pollutants from the environment. In the case of P. laevis, they can be used to help move concentrated heavy metals out of contaminated soils, preventing them from remaining in one place and causing harm to other organisms. The ability for P. laevis to tolerate heavy metals can also make it an interesting model organism for studying adaptation and speciation. Its tolerance to heavy metals can be evolutionary response to the presence of heavy metals in its natural environment.
BehaviorEdit
Porcellio laevis is one of several species of isopods known to use "alternating turns" as a defense mechanism, running in a mazelike pattern to confuse or avoid perceived threats.[10] Studies suggest that this behavior, also observed in Armadillidium vulgare, can be reinforced as a learned response, with more "alternating turns" produced by longer and more frequent exposure to predators.[10]
PolymorphismEdit
Porcellio laevis is known to exhibit polymorphism. Multiple polymorphic traits have been line-bred or isolated to produce colonies of Porcellio laevis that can vary widely in color and pattern (sometimes referred to informally as "morphs").
A "piebald" form of Porcellio laevis, with black and white coloration reminiscent of a cow. This piebald form is sometimes referred to as a "dalmatian gene" by those who keep this morph in captivity.[11][12] It is caused by an absence of pigment in portions of the animal, creating a pattern against the pigmented sections.
White
Recessive
A mutation isolated from the popular "Dairy Cow" morph. This variety is a more extreme expression of the piebald trait, with minimal to no surface area of the animal displaying any pigment; creating an almost entirely white appearance.
Orange
Recessive
A mutation of Porcellio laevis where much of pigment of the animal is orange, rather than a shade of grey seen by the typical Porcellio laevis specimen.
^"Porcellio laevis Latreille, 1804 | British Myriapod and Isopod Group". www.bmig.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
^Harding, Paul (2016). "IS PORCELLIO LAEVIS (LATREILLE) DECLINING IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND?" (PDF). Bulletin of the British Myriapod & Isopod Group. 29.
^Michael C. Quinlan & Neil F. Hadley (1983). "Water relations of the terrestrial isopods Porcellio laevis and Porcellionides pruinosus (Crustacea, Oniscoidea)". Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology. 151 (2): 155–161. doi:10.1007/BF00689913. S2CID 35244660.
^Schmalfuss, Helmut (April 2016). "Two new species and new records of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) from Oman". Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde A. 9 (1): 31–39. doi:10.18476/sbna.v9.a3. ISSN 0341-0145.
^Lardies, Marco A.; Cotoras, Ivania S.; Bozinovic, Francisco (2004-12-01). "The energetics of reproduction and parental care in the terrestrial isopod Porcellio laevis". Journal of Insect Physiology. 50 (12): 1127–1135. doi:10.1016/j.jinsphys.2004.10.005. hdl:10533/174983. ISSN 0022-1910. PMID 15670860.
^Csonka, Diána; Halasy, Katalin; Hornung, Elisabeth (2015-07-30). "Histological studies on the marsupium of two terrestrial isopods (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea)". ZooKeys (515): 81–92. doi:10.3897/zookeys.515.9401. ISSN 1313-2970. PMC4525037. PMID 26261442.
^Arin, Levent; Namik Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture; Di̇nçsoy, Hilal; Namik Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture (2020). "Effect of Vermicompost and Isopod (Porcellio laevis) Fertilizers on The Emergence and Seedling Quality of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata cv. Wismar)". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^Ghemari, Chedliya; Waterlot, Christophe; Ayari, Anas; Douay, Francis; Nasri-Ammar, Karima (2019-09-15). "Effects of Heavy Metals Artificial Contamination on Porcellio laevis (Latreille, 1804) (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)". Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 103 (3): 416–420. doi:10.1007/S00128-019-02684-0. ISSN 0007-4861. OSTI 22933490. PMID 31342133. S2CID 198491657.
^ abHegarty, Kevin G.; Kight, Scott L. (2014-07-01). "Do predator cues influence turn alternation behavior in terrestrial isopods Porcellio laevis Latreille and Armadillidium vulgare Latreille?". Behavioural Processes. 106: 168–171. doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2014.06.005. ISSN 0376-6357. PMID 24954552. S2CID 205979330.
^ abBug, Smug (2020-09-13). "Dalmatian Mutation in Different Isopod Species". Smugbug. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
porcellio, laevis, commonly, called, swift, woodlouse, dairy, isopod, smooth, slater, australia, species, woodlouse, genus, porcellio, species, epithet, laevis, well, vernacular, name, swift, woodlouse, suggests, species, capable, quick, bursts, speed, when, p. Porcellio laevis commonly called the swift woodlouse dairy cow isopod or smooth slater in Australia is a species of woodlouse in the genus Porcellio As the species epithet laevis as well as the vernacular name swift woodlouse suggests the species is capable of quick bursts of speed when provoked Porcellio laevisScientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ArthropodaClass MalacostracaSuperorder PeracaridaOrder IsopodaSuborder OniscideaFamily PorcellionidaeGenus PorcellioSpecies P laevisBinomial namePorcellio laevisLatreille 1804This species of woodlouse is distinctively large appearing up to 20 millimetres 0 79 in long with a smooth dorsal surface The males can be identified by their long spear shaped uropods Porcellio laevis has a smooth dorsal surface which separates its visually from many other species of the Porcellio genus 1 It is commonly kept as a pet due to its somewhat easy care requirements and the variety of color morphs available The species is easy to keep and can be easily established in a terrarium within a few weeks Dairy cow isopod is a commonly used name for a readily available piebald strain of the species Contents 1 Distribution and habitat 2 Development and maternal care 3 Ecological significance 4 Behavior 5 Polymorphism 6 See also 7 ReferencesDistribution and habitat EditP laevis was first recorded in Britain in the 13th century but it likely originated in North Africa 2 It has a cosmopolitan distribution 3 and has been introduced to Australia including Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island 4 The species is also found in North and South America Western Asia Japan and some Pacific islands 5 This species is found under rocks and fallen logs in damp areas and is otherwise rarely encountered Records from Ireland and Britain also place them in agricultural areas like gardens farms and stables where they can be found in dung and compost piles Development and maternal care EditPorcellio laevis directly develop from yolky eggs Both the eggs and juveniles develop within a brood pouch called a marsupium until the first juvenile stage 6 7 The use of the marsupium eliminates the need for there to be an external water source for early development since it is filled with fluid from the mother isopod This is considered some of the most extensive parental care among terrestrial arthropods Ecological significance EditPorcellio laevis plays an important role in nutrient cycling in habitats by breaking down dead plant material and animal waste and thereby releasing essential nutrients back into the ecosystem 8 The species is known to be an opportunistic feeder consuming a wide range of organic matter such as leaves moss lichens and even rotting wood Therefore P laevis can thrive in many different ecological niches It is also an important food source for many animals including birds reptiles and small mammals There have been studies that have shown that P laevis have the ability to tolerate and even accumulate heavy metals in their bodies This makes them potential candidates for bioremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils 9 Bioremediation is the use of living organisms to remove pollutants from the environment In the case of P laevis they can be used to help move concentrated heavy metals out of contaminated soils preventing them from remaining in one place and causing harm to other organisms The ability for P laevis to tolerate heavy metals can also make it an interesting model organism for studying adaptation and speciation Its tolerance to heavy metals can be evolutionary response to the presence of heavy metals in its natural environment Behavior EditPorcellio laevis is one of several species of isopods known to use alternating turns as a defense mechanism running in a mazelike pattern to confuse or avoid perceived threats 10 Studies suggest that this behavior also observed in Armadillidium vulgare can be reinforced as a learned response with more alternating turns produced by longer and more frequent exposure to predators 10 Polymorphism EditPorcellio laevis is known to exhibit polymorphism Multiple polymorphic traits have been line bred or isolated to produce colonies of Porcellio laevis that can vary widely in color and pattern sometimes referred to informally as morphs Examples of Polymorphism in Porcellio laevis Trait name s Trait Type Description of MorphDairy Cow Panda Isopod in Germany 11 Recessive A piebald form of Porcellio laevis with black and white coloration reminiscent of a cow This piebald form is sometimes referred to as a dalmatian gene by those who keep this morph in captivity 11 12 It is caused by an absence of pigment in portions of the animal creating a pattern against the pigmented sections White Recessive A mutation isolated from the popular Dairy Cow morph This variety is a more extreme expression of the piebald trait with minimal to no surface area of the animal displaying any pigment creating an almost entirely white appearance Orange Recessive A mutation of Porcellio laevis where much of pigment of the animal is orange rather than a shade of grey seen by the typical Porcellio laevis specimen See also EditList of woodlice of the British IslesReferences Edit Porcellio laevis Latreille 1804 British Myriapod and Isopod Group www bmig org uk Retrieved 2023 01 09 Harding Paul 2016 IS PORCELLIO LAEVIS LATREILLE DECLINING IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND PDF Bulletin of the British Myriapod amp Isopod Group 29 Michael C Quinlan amp Neil F Hadley 1983 Water relations of the terrestrial isopods Porcellio laevis and Porcellionides pruinosus Crustacea Oniscoidea Journal of Comparative Physiology B Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology 151 2 155 161 doi 10 1007 BF00689913 S2CID 35244660 Porcellio laevis Latreille Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation November 11 2004 Schmalfuss Helmut April 2016 Two new species and new records of terrestrial isopods Isopoda Oniscidea from Oman Stuttgarter Beitrage zur Naturkunde A 9 1 31 39 doi 10 18476 sbna v9 a3 ISSN 0341 0145 Lardies Marco A Cotoras Ivania S Bozinovic Francisco 2004 12 01 The energetics of reproduction and parental care in the terrestrial isopod Porcellio laevis Journal of Insect Physiology 50 12 1127 1135 doi 10 1016 j jinsphys 2004 10 005 hdl 10533 174983 ISSN 0022 1910 PMID 15670860 Csonka Diana Halasy Katalin Hornung Elisabeth 2015 07 30 Histological studies on the marsupium of two terrestrial isopods Crustacea Isopoda Oniscidea ZooKeys 515 81 92 doi 10 3897 zookeys 515 9401 ISSN 1313 2970 PMC 4525037 PMID 26261442 Arin Levent Namik Kemal University Faculty of Agriculture Di ncsoy Hilal Namik Kemal University Faculty of Agriculture 2020 Effect of Vermicompost and Isopod Porcellio laevis Fertilizers on The Emergence and Seedling Quality of Lettuce Lactuca sativa var capitata cv Wismar a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help Ghemari Chedliya Waterlot Christophe Ayari Anas Douay Francis Nasri Ammar Karima 2019 09 15 Effects of Heavy Metals Artificial Contamination on Porcellio laevis Latreille 1804 Crustacea Isopoda Oniscidea Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 103 3 416 420 doi 10 1007 S00128 019 02684 0 ISSN 0007 4861 OSTI 22933490 PMID 31342133 S2CID 198491657 a b Hegarty Kevin G Kight Scott L 2014 07 01 Do predator cues influence turn alternation behavior in terrestrial isopods Porcellio laevis Latreille and Armadillidium vulgare Latreille Behavioural Processes 106 168 171 doi 10 1016 j beproc 2014 06 005 ISSN 0376 6357 PMID 24954552 S2CID 205979330 a b Bug Smug 2020 09 13 Dalmatian Mutation in Different Isopod Species Smugbug Retrieved 2023 01 09 Dan 2021 11 16 Dairy Cow Isopods Porcellio laevis Bioactive Pet Guide Terrarium Tribe Retrieved 2023 01 09 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Porcellio laevis amp oldid 1180318063, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
