Breeding patterns of three species of Armadillidium (Isopoda, Oniscidea) from Tunisia

Abstract

The breeding patterns ofArmadillidiumsp. from Ichkeul,A. sulcatumfrom El Feija andA. tunisiensefrom El Jerissa were studied based on a rearing during 12 months under natural conditions in the laboratory. These populations exhibited a seasonal reproduction. With the exception ofA. tunisiense, virgin and isolated females ofA. sulcatumandArmadillidiumsp. realized a spontaneous vitellogenesis, followed by a parturial moult. The onset of the female’s reproduction ofArmadillidiumsp. andA. sulcatumwas accelerated by male presence. The presence of males also extended their reproductive duration. During the breeding season, mated females of the three populations ofArmadillidiumexhibited a variation in the succession of performed moults and were iteroparous. The mean weight of a population seemed to be the most important determining factor in controlling sexual differentiation and maturity, the gestation period, mean fertility, reproductive allocation, and parental investment.