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Armadillidium nasatum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Armadillidium nasatum
Armadillidium nasatum, in standard posture (above) and conglobated (below)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda
Suborder: Oniscidea
Family: Armadillidiidae
Genus: Armadillidium
Species:
A. nasatum
Binomial name
Armadillidium nasatum
Subspecies

Five subspecies

Range (UK only)[2][3]
Synonyms [4]
  • Armadillidium mehelyi
  • Armadillidium nasutum
  • Armadillidium quadrifrons
  • Armadillidium sorrentinum
  • Armadillidium speyeri

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

Description

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Morphological comparison between Armadillidium nasatum and A. vulgare

Armadillidium nasatum can reach lengths of up to 21 millimetres.[2][5] Like Armadillidium depressum, it does not form a complete ball when enrolled.[2] Though similar in outwards appearance to Armadillidium vulgare in dark grey color, the main distinguishing feature is a rectangular-like protrusion ("nose") towards the apex of the head. The tail (telson) has a rounded tip with incurved sides, as opposed to most genus Armadillidium species which have a smaller, flat tail.[5] Pale longitudinal stripes spanning from head to rear are seen on some individuals, though this is variable and is not a diagnostic feature.[6]

Distribution

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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

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

References

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  1. ^ a b "Armadillidium nasatum Budde-Lund, 1885". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e Armadillidium nasatum Budde-Lund, 1885
  3. ^ "Discover | Natural History Museum". Archived from the original on 3 August 2012.
  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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-02-24. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  5. ^ a b Powerpoint Presentation - nasatum.pdf
  6. ^ "Armadillidium nasatum Nosy Pill Woodlouse". iNaturalist. Jul 26, 2023.
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