Inconsistent effects of environmental variations on body size and density of pillbugs, Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille, 1804) (Isopoda, Oniscidea) in urban green spaces

Abstract

Abstract Urban green spaces offer opportunity to detect the response of species to environmental variations by exploring population density and body size variations. In May 2022, we collected pillbugs from five urban green spaces in Yancheng, Jiangsu, P.R. China. One-way ANOVA, principal component analysis, Cramer’s V. Mantel test and regression analysis were employed in this study. We found that the body size varied significantly among different urban spaces, while density did not. Most of the environmental properties were significantly different, except electrical conductivity and total nitrogen. The number of plant species and pH were distinguished as the main factors shaping the habitats. Body size related to the food resources, and density related to pH and vegetation coverage. Then body length and weight presented a significant positive correlation. A clumped distribution pattern of pillbugs was detected by Taylor’s and Iwao’s regressions. The environmental variations presented inconsistent effects on density and body size.