Porcellio laevis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Peracarida
Order: Isopoda
Suborder: Oniscidea
Family: Porcellionidae
Genus: Porcellio
Species:
P. laevis
Binomial name
Porcellio laevis
Latreille, 1804

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. The smooth dorsal surface of Porcellio laevis separates it visually from many other species in the same 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.

Distribution and habitat

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 care

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 significance

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.

Behavior

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]

Polymorphism

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").

Examples of Polymorphism in Porcellio laevis
Trait name(s) Trait Type Description of Morph
Dairy 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

References

  1. ↑ "Porcellio laevis Latreille, 1804 | British Myriapod and Isopod Group". www.bmig.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  2. ↑ Harding, Paul (2016). "IS PORCELLIO LAEVIS (LATREILLE) DECLINING IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND?" (PDF). Bulletin of the British Myriapod & Isopod Group. 29.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ "Porcellio laevis Latreille". Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. November 11, 2004.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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. PMC 4525037. PMID 26261442.
  8. ↑ 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)
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. 1 2 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.
  11. 1 2 Bug, Smug (2020-09-13). "Dalmatian Mutation in Different Isopod Species". Smugbug. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  12. ↑ Dan (2021-11-16). "Dairy Cow Isopods (Porcellio laevis) - Bioactive Pet Guide". Terrarium Tribe. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
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