Scientific Name: Cristarmadillidium muricatum Common Name: Hairy Woodlouse
Description:
- Size: Adults typically measure between 1.5 and 2 centimeters in length.
- Color: Their coloration ranges from dark brown to lighter shades, with a hairy texture that gives them a distinctive appearance.
- Body: They have a segmented, laterally flattened body, resembling a miniature suit of armor.
- Antennae: They possess a pair of long, slender antennae used for exploring their environment.
- Legs: They have seven pairs of stout legs, enabling them to move agilely in their habitat.
Habitat:
- Cristarmadillidium muricatum is native to subtropical and tropical regions, where it inhabits humid and dark environments such as tropical forests and jungles.
- They prefer areas with moist soil and decaying organic matter, where they can find food and shelter.
Behavior:
- They are nocturnal, primarily active during the night.
- They feed on decaying plant matter and other organic debris found on the forest floor.
- They tend to be gregarious, living in groups and seeking shelter under logs, leaves, or other natural hiding spots.
Reproduction:
- Reproduction in terrestrial isopods, including Cristarmadillidium muricatum, involves internal fertilization.
- Females lay eggs in a specialized abdominal pouch called a marsupium, where the eggs are incubated until they hatch into juveniles.
Ecological Importance:
- Like many other isopods, Cristarmadillidium muricatum plays an important role in the decomposition of organic matter, contributing to nutrient cycling in the ecosystems where it resides.
- Additionally, it can serve as prey for various animal species, thus contributing to local food chains.
