Investigating the Habitat of Common Rough Woodlice
Introduction
There are many species of Woodlice found in the British Isles and
because of their abundance they provide good material for an
ecological investigation into their preferred habitat. Woodlice are of
the order Isopoda which means, "the legs are alike"1. Different
species prefer different dwellings however the Common Rough Woodlouse
(Porcellio scaber) which has been used for this investigation, is
commonly found around residential properties. They can be found under
rocks or around compost heaps where the soil is moist and a humid
atmosphere is maintained. One abiotic factor that affects the habitat
of Woodlice includes damp or moist soil. Compost heaps also provide a
continuous source of dead plants, which is part of the diet of
Woodlice2. This is another abiotic factor. Woodlice are believed to
provide a vital role in the decomposition process as their eating
habits return essential nutrients to the soil3.
Closer examination of the anatomy of the Porcellio scaber may give
more understanding of why they may be found in damp conditions. The
external structure (fig.1) shows a hard exoskeleton, which is shed at
intervals throughout their lives in order that they can grow longer.
The exoskeleton consists of segments and the first section has a
fusion of the thorax and the head4. The uropod at the rear of the
Woodlouse is used for the uptake of water and this is achieved when
they are pressed against moist surfaces5. Woodlice cannot retain water
for long periods of time and because they have a large surface area to
volume ratio they loose water quickly by diffusion6. Their exoskeleton
is not waterproof which means that they will also loose water through
this.
Fig 1. Dorsal View of Porcellio scaber
[IMAGE]
The ventral view of the anatomy of Woodlice (fig. 2) shows that they
have simple pseudo-lungs as their respiratory surface and this is also
towards the rear4. There is a pore opening that allows the exchange of
Fox, R. 2001. Invertebrate Anatomy OnLine: Artemia Franciscana. Lander University. http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/artemia.html, retrieved February 13, 2011.
In the lab the isopods were observed in a way to where behavior and structures could be properly recorded. The isopods were revealed to two dissimilar scenarios, normal temperature water vs. warm temperature water, to calculate which environment was most preferred. In each distinct scenario ten isopods were placed ten a choice chamber, one side being normal temperature (26.7celsius) and the other being warm temperature (43.3 celsius) , and observed for a total of ten minutes with thirty second intervals which was when we recorded our observations. After observations, it was seen that normal conditions was the most preferred environment by the isopods. In the scenario the Isopods exhibited taxis behavior, which is behavior caused by factors such as light, temperature, water and such. Nothing physical, but rather environmental.
The frequency of Patella vulgata has shown to be affected by different microhabitats. An experiment was taken to investigate the difference in limpet frequency at three different microhabitats at the middle shore – Rock pools, Under Rocks and on Top of Rocks. At each microhabitat six sites were investigated and the abiotic factors (temperature, humidity, wind speed and light intensity) were measured. It was found that Under Rocks had the highest frequency of limpets and Rock Pools had the lowest, this was because the limpets where sheltered from direct contact with sunlight and wind, so desiccation was less for limpets found under the rocks whereas in rock pools. The low frequency of limpets found in the rock pools was firstly due to the fact there was poor visibility so could not be sure of actual number of limpets and secondly there was less stable substrate for limpet to attach to in rook pools therefore was a main reason for low frequency of limpets. Consequently, there existed this significant difference between the frequencies of limpets at different microhabitats because of abiotic factors (abiotic components are non-living chemical and physical factors in the environment, such as light intensity, temperature and wind speed) being different.
Ever since 1973, when the Endangered Species Act came into being, conservationists and private landowners have been debating over whether to preserve the habitats of many endangered species found in unprotected areas (Ligon et al, 1986). Increasing levels of human development has led to the cutting of old-growth forests and construction of roads and other physical barriers to wildlife. These activities have greatly contributed to the fragmentation of wildlife habitat, which has had detrimental effects on the population structure and survivorship of the affected area’s indigenous species. One species that has been affected by habitat fragmentation is the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), a nonmigratory bird with a home range covering most of the southeastern United States (Roise et al, 1990). Habitat fragmentation has led to the loss of genetic variability, nesting sites, and suitable population sizes to support cooperative breeding requirements. These factors have been responsible for the precipitous decline of the red-cockaded woodpecker. Because the red-cockaded woodpecker provides important ecological and economic benefits to both humans and the environment, we should strongly consider enacting a conservation plan for this species.
The results from the experiments supported the hypothesis that the batoid pelvic girdle shape correlated with the type of locomotion. They found that the form of locomotion utilized by the batoid had a greater determining factor on the shape of the pelvic girdle compared to the phylogeny. An important discovery of this experiment showed that the shape of the pelvic girdle of a batoid can be used to predict the swimming and punting mode, and the order to which the vertebrate
...l keystone includes fungi, Douglas-Fir and the Flying Tree Squirrel. The squirrels eat truffles made by fungi which are of an important tree species. The squirrel then spreads these fungi in the forest by leaving it in its feces. The fungi play a main part in the old growth forests and effect the growth and health of many northwestern trees. ("Northern Spotted Owl.")
They are so well adapted to arboreal life that they cannot place their feet on
The Redwood National forest in California is home to some of the tallest trees in the world. People from all over travel to see the beauty of these hundred year old redwood trees. These trees The park was established in 1968 and is a national and state park. Since the park has been established there has been around a 100,000 increase in tourists each year. The park consists of 131,983 acres of earthquake prone land in the northern part of California, just below the. The climate of the Redwood National forest varies from mild with high humidity and even temperatures, this climate is perfect for the redwood trees, to the more harsh, windy climates near the ocean. The biome is mainly temperate coniferous forest with mixes of redwood and evergreen
One of the most prevalent biodiversity affects in the Sandhills area of North Carolina is the status of the red-cockaded woodpecker, due to the destruction of their natural habitat these birds are considered to be an endangered species (Carter III & Kocher, 1995).
On average the lifespan for a roe deer in the wild is 10 years old. When alarmed the roe deer will make a loud barking sound that much resembles a dog. Males may also make a low grunting noise. An alarmed roe deer will also flash its white rump patch. These patches differ between males and females with a female having a heart shape and the male having a kidney shape. During the breeding season bucks become aggressive, maintaining their territory around one or more does. Fights break out between these bucks and will often result in serious injury or death with the winner of the fight gaining access to the loser’s territory or doe. Before the buck is ready to mate courtship will take over where the buck chases the doe for some time then mating
The platypus is covered with a thick water-resistant fur, excluding its bill and feet. It’s body it streamlined, has short limbs and webbed forefeet to propel itself through water using an alternative kicking motion. The webs on the for...
Three different feeding styles were observed and recorded, foraging in the water, grazing on the land and feeding directly from humans. Foraging in water has two different behaviours, the first is the deep foraging when the C. atractus elongate it’s neck straight down into the water, the second is the shallow foraging, placing the bill into the water moving it
Convenient is one of the most prominent words used to describe Frenchs Forest, a suburb Northern Sydney. Frenchs Forest is convenient to Sydney’s CBD, the beaches, the north coast, and the Harbour. Relaxed and friendly is how the locals describe their community and general atmosphere here. The locals say the people here are known to build lasting relationships for a strong sense of community. Locals say that traffic is manageable, so some of them drive to work instead of taking the train or bus. The choices in great schools, public transport, open spaces, and eateries are merely perks of living in this amazing hidden gem of a suburb.
Porifera is the most simplistic phylum under the kingdom Animalia. The sponges have no tissue layers, but instead an interior and exterior layer with a gelatinous middle layer that separates the two. They are the only phylum with asymmetrical symmetry. Throughout the advancing phyla it will be shown this trait is lost. Porifera lacks a proper digestive system, but a canal system allows the sponges to filter feed. Along the inside of a sponge, flagella pump water through the sponge’s body. This process brings in oxygen and other small organisms and then flows out the top of the sponge, the osculum, removing waste by diffusion. Sponges lack a circulatory system, as does many of the first couple of phyla. A coinciding factor could be their small size. A nervous system is also missing, but very basic nerve cells within the pores sense the water currents. Gas exchange occurs through these pores. Reproduction in sponges can be asexual by budding, gammation, or fragmentation. Some sponges can also have sexual reproduction occur as an egg gets released and fertilized in the open water by free floating sperm. After this stage they cling onto rock and begin their sessile, basic, life....
In mammals. the skin excretes sweat through sweat glands throughout the body. The sweat, helped by salt, evaporates and helps to keep the body cool when it is warm. In amphibians, the lungs are very simple, and they lack the necessary means to the exhale like other tetrapods can. The moist, scale-less skin is therefore essential in helping to rid the blood of carbon dioxide, and also allows for urea to be expelled through diffusion when