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Appearance
Three
body parts: head, thorax, abdomen one prominent pair of antennae
(one inconspicuous pair) Simple eyes Seven pairs of legs Seven
separate segments on thorax Paired appendages at end of abdomen
called uropods color varies from dark gray to white with or without
pattern.
Adult Males and Females
On the underside, females have leaf-like growths at base of some legs. These
brood pouches hold developing eggs and embryos. The first two appendages
on the male abdomen are modified as elongated copulatory organs.
Immatures (different stages)
The immature isopod molts four or five times. They look like adults except
for size, proportion, color and sexual development.
Food
Isopods are omnivores or scavengers feeding on dead or decaying plants or animals.
Some may eat live plants.
Habitat
Isopods breathe with gills, so they are restricted to areas with high humidity,
under rocks or logs, in leaf litter or in crevices. Some species are nocturnal.
Predators
Vertebrates and invertebrates.
Interesting Behaviors
Some species roll up into a ball when disturbed. Eggs (up to 100) are held
in broad pouch on female. Juveniles look like adults and are soon liberated
from pouch. Molting is in two stages. First the back half molts, then two
to three days later, the front half molts. Coloration of both halves may
be different at this time. Many species are fast walkers, but can be easily
observed when held in the palm of the hand.
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