Conglobating terrestrial isopods in the north and north-western Iran

Terrestrial isopods are the only group of crustaceans truly adapted to live on the land. They evolved several physiological, morphological and behavioral adaptations. As one of these adaptations, conglobation primitively was exploited for protection, and in terrestrial isopods was evolved several times independently to decline water loss through the body surface. Among 13 families of terrestrial isopods reported from Iran, five families including Tylidae, Eubelidae, Armadillidiidae, Armadillidae, and Cylisticidae are able to roll up into a ball. Based on the position of antennae on the body while conglobated, terrestrial isopods are divided into two groups: endo- and exo-antennal. All members of conglobating families are endo-antennal unless Cylisticidae which are exo-antennal. In the present study, nine conglobating species are found in north and north-western Iran. These are Armadillidium vulgare, A. nasatum, Schizidium persicum and S. golovatchi (family Armadillidiidae), Armadillo alievi and Armadillo sp. (family Armadilliidae), Cylisticus masalicus, Parcylisticus sp., Cylisticoides angulatus and C. rotundifrons.

Keywords:

Isopoda , Terrestrial isopods , Taxonomy , Iran