Abstract
Summary Long-term observations of Trichoniscus pusillus revealed that chemical composition and microbial activity of the leaf litter serving as food influenced the reproductive success of females and the mortality rates of juveniles as well. Of the food sources investigated, only alder litter, exhibiting high microbial activity, allowed the maintenance of a stable population with frequently reproducing females. This study concludes that the food type is a significant factor for population parameters of this parthenogenetic isopod. Our results on T. pusillus, belonging to the taxon Synocheta, are compared with data on terrestrial isopod species of the taxon Crinocheta.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Pedobiologia - International Journal of Soil Biology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
