Porcellionides floria
This record describes Porcellionides floria (species). Recorded family: Porcellionidae. Recorded order: Isopoda.
Identification and Appearance
P. floria was separated from the European P. pruinosus by Garthwaite and Sassaman (1985), but morphologically the two species are very similar. Both are widespread, synanthropic species in the USA; all the specimens examined from S. California by Garthwaite and Sassaman turned out to be P. floria . Compared with other oniscideans in the area, the long legs (pereopods), pruinose grey coloration and (usually) white-banded antennae are distinctive. Comment by Jonathan Wright
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Isopoda (Isopods)
- Suborder
- Oniscidea
- Family
- Porcellionidae
- Genus
- Porcellionides
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Isopods: the wider group
Order-level background for Isopoda, the group containing Porcellionides floria. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Isopoda includes ~10,000 described species of woodlice, pill bugs, and sea slaters. Woodlice are the only crustaceans to have fully adapted to life on land. Pill bugs (roly-polies) can roll into a perfect ball for defense.
Ecological role of the group
Woodlice are critical soil decomposers, breaking down dead plant material and recycling calcium and other nutrients. They breathe through gill-like structures and require moist environments. Giant deep-sea isopods (Bathynomus) can grow up to 50cm long.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Woodlice are generally beneficial in gardens as decomposers, though they can occasionally damage seedlings and soft fruits in large numbers.
Recorded sources for this group: Soil ecology research, marine biology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Porcellionides floria (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset