Armadillidium nasatum

Armadillidium nasatum is a large, Britain-based species of woodlouse that has been introduced to North America, along with Armadillidium vulgare also found in other parts of Europe.

Armadillidium
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Crustacea
Class:
Malacostraca
Order:
Isopoda
Suborder:
Oniscidea
Family:
Armadillidiidae
Genus:
Armadillidium
Species:
A. nasatum
Binomial name
Armadillidium nasatum
Subspecies
5 subspecies
Range (UK only)[2][3]
Synonyms [4]
  • Armadillidium mehelyi
  • Armadillidium nasutum
  • Armadillidium quadrifrons
  • Armadillidium sorrentinum
  • Armadillidium speyeri

Description

Compared to the maximum length of 18 millimetres for Armadillidium vulgare, Armadillidium nasatum can reach lengths of up to 21 millimetres.[2][5] Though similar in outwards appearance to Armadillidium vulgare in dark grey color, the main distinguishing feature is pale longitudinal stripes spanning from head to rear and rectangular-like protrusion towards the apex of the head. Like Armadillidium depressum, it does not form a complete ball when enrolled.[2] The tail has a rounded tip with incurved sides, as opposed to most genus Armadillidium species which have a flat tail.[5]

Distribution

Armadillidium nasatum occurs in patches in southern England, with concentrated areas in its range and sporadic occurrences in Ireland.[2] It lives in dryer areas than most woodlice, is synanthropic, and is frequently found in non-inhabited areas such as railway lines and industrial waste ground.[2] Like other woodlice, it is found under stones and wood.

Adult A. nasatum

Subspecies

There are 5 recognized subspecies in the species Armadillidium nasatum:[1]

  • Armadillidium nasatum flava Colinge, 1989
  • Armadillidium nasatum mehelyi Verhoeff, 1930
  • Armadillidium nasatum nasatum Budde-Lund, 1885
  • Armadillidium nasatum nigrescens Collinge, 1918
  • Armadillidium nasatum saidovni Arcangeli, 1950

References
  1. "Armadillidium nasatum Budde-Lund, 1885". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  2. Armadillidium nasatum Budde-Lund, 1885
  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. Powerpoint Presentation - nasatum.pdf


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