Armadillidium nasatum

Armadillidium nasatum
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
Budde-Lund, 1833 [1]
Subspecies
5 subspecies
Range (UK only)[2][3]
Synonyms [4]
  • Armadillidium mehelyi
  • Armadillidium nasutum
  • Armadillidium quadrifrons
  • Armadillidium sorrentinum
  • Armadillidium speyeri

Armadillidium nasatum is a large, Britain-based species of woodlouse that has been introduced to North America, along with Armadillidium vulgare.

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. 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 Armadillidium genus 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.

Subspecies

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

References

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