Temperature vs. Movement of Pill Bugs

Temperature vs. Movement of Pill Bugs


Temperature vs. Movement of Pill Bugs
Stephane Aube
Mrs. Tedeschi
23 September 2013
Stephane Aube
Mrs. Tedeschi
AP Biology
3 September 2013
Temperature vs. Movement of Pill Bugs
Introduction
This lab was conducted in order to evaluate the relationship between common pill bugs and temperature. The independent variable of this lab was temperature, with the dependent variable being the amount of pill bugs on each side of the connected petri dishes. The placements of the pill bugs were documented at 30-second intervals in order to examine certain trends, such as group movement or stagnation.
Armadillium vulgare are arthropods, members of the Animalia kingdom that have jointed legs and exoskeletons. They belong to the Isopoda order as they are land dwelling and have an equal amount of legs. Common names include pill bugs, wood lice, and potato bugs. Pill bugs are well known to curl up if disturbed, as a method of self-defense (Potter). A small amount of Porcellio scabar, or sow bugs, may have been in place of the included pill bugs. Sow bugs belong to the same Isopoda order as pill bugs (Tedeschi).
Pill bugs have two chemoreceptive antennae for path finding, but also have two simple eyes. The thorax consists of seven scaly segments with one pair of legs on each. Sow bugs specifically have two uropods on their abdomen, reminiscent of a “tail fan” (Isopod). Moisture is a necessity as they lack a necessary waxy cuticle in order to regulate water and use gills for respiration (Tedeschi).
Pill bugs are mainly restricted to damp environments due to their gill-based respiration and are often found under rotting wood, compost, decaying vegetation, or leaf litter. Being largely nocturnal, they are attracted to dimly lit areas and tend to be more active at night. Pill bugs are found active between the temperatures of 20°-25° Celsius.
Pill bugs are omnivores, but feed primarily on fungi and plants. If deprived of moisture or food, they will resort to a more...

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