Thermal effects on the body mass, transpiration rate, feeding and food conversion of the pillbug armadillo officinalis (isopoda, oniscidea)‎ fed on the dry leaf of punica granatum

Abstract EN

Observations were made on the body mass ; transpiration rate; assimilation efficiency ; gross and net production efficiencies; feeding, assimilation, conversion and metabolic rates of the pill bug Armadillo officinal is Demerol acclimatized at 14º and 21°C for 15 days and fed on the dry leaf of Punic granum (Po A brief description is given on the chemical composition of P.

granum leaf.

The difference in body mass increments of A.

officinal is between the acclimatized temperatures was not significant (t = 1.09 ; p > 0.05).

However, significant differences were discernible on the transpiration rate (t = 9.53 ; p < 0.01), moisture (t = 9.01 ; p < 0.01), assimilation efficiency (t = 5.16 ; p < 0.01), feeding (t = 3.76 ; p < 0.05) and conversion (t=2.58 ; p < 0.05) rates between the woodlice acclimatized at 14º and 21°C.

Better feeding of P.

granum leaf by these animals was observed at 21°C, but better assimilation efficiency at 14°C.

Only 3.21 % assimilated food at 14°C and 6.30 % at 21°C were converted into the production of new tissues.

The food consumption of A.

officinal is at14˚C and 21° C was 2.05 % and 3.79 % body mass / day respectively.

The effect of temperature on the activity of A.

officinal is in the field discussed.

Marinate.