Trichorhina tomentosa, known informally as the dwarf white isopod, is a species of woodlouse in the family Platyarthridae. It is a parthenogenetic species, and only female individuals are known. Native to tropical regions throughout the Americas, dwarf white isopods have been introduced to other tropical regions worldwide.[3]
| Trichorhina tomentosa | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Isopoda |
| Suborder: | Oniscidea |
| Family: | Platyarthridae |
| Genus: | Trichorhina |
| Species: | T. tomentosa
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| Binomial name | |
| Trichorhina tomentosa (Budde-Lund, 1893) [1]
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
editDwarf white isopods can grow to around 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) in length.[4][better source needed] They are uniformly white in color, and like other members in its family, cannot roll into a ball. Like many other woodlice, dwarf white isopods prefer moist soil, feeding on detritus. Dwarf white isopods give birth asexually.[5]
Relationship with humans
editAs clean-up crews
editDue to their prolific nature, ease of care, and ability to consume waste, dwarf white isopods are widely favored and used in bioactive setups, along with other isopods and springtails. Not only are they used as clean-up crews; they may also provide a food source for other terrarium animals, such as dart frogs and geckos.[4][better source needed]
References
edit- ^ "ITIS - Report: Trichorhina tomentosa". Itis.gov. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ "Trichorhina tomentosa (Budde-Lund, 1893)". Gbif.org. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ Cochard, Pierre-Olivier; Vilisics, Ferenc; Sechet, Emmanuel (2010). "Alien terrestrial crustaceans (Isopods and Amphipods). Chapter 7.1". Biorisk. 4: 81–96. doi:10.3897/biorisk.4.54.
- ^ a b "Dwarf White Isopod (Trichorhina tomentosa" (PDF). Crittersdiect.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ Schmalfuss, Helmut (2004). "World Catalog of terrestrial Isopods" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-02-24. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
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