Evidence of behavioural thermoregulation in novel assay for Ectothermic isopods:
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Scott Kight
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 11:29 AM
Description
This study investigates whether ectothermic isopods, such as Armadillidium vulgare and Porcellio laevis, behaviorally thermoregulate by adjusting their positional behavior based on prior acclimation to different temperatures. We predicted that acclimation would influence thermal preference during thermoregulation. We conducted two experiments. In Study 1, we tested substrate preference in 19 A. vulgare and 27 P. laevis acclimated to 23°C. Isopods were placed in a Petri dish divided into three sections of sand of different grain sizes (small, medium, large grains) and tested in an environmental chamber under three temperatures: 13°C, 23°C, and 33°C. Study 2 examined the impact of acclimation on thermal preference. Groups of 50 individuals of each species were acclimated to 15°C, 25°C, or 35°C and tested in a choice chamber with the choice between 15°C, 25°C, and 35°C areas. There were statistically significant differences in positional behavior, providing evidence of behavioral thermoregulation in both species. 23°C-acclimated isopods preferred room temperature, while 35°C-acclimated individuals favored cooler environments over 35°C. Cold-acclimated isopods showed no difference in positional behavior between 15°C and 23°C, suggesting a tolerance for cooler conditions. Differences between species, particularly in cold-acclimated groups, likely result from variations in body structure and heat conduction. These findings suggest that even when acclimated to higher temperatures, isopods tend to prefer moderate or cooler conditions, consistent with prior studies of ectothermic thermoregulation.
Evidence of behavioural thermoregulation in novel assay for Ectothermic isopods:
This study investigates whether ectothermic isopods, such as Armadillidium vulgare and Porcellio laevis, behaviorally thermoregulate by adjusting their positional behavior based on prior acclimation to different temperatures. We predicted that acclimation would influence thermal preference during thermoregulation. We conducted two experiments. In Study 1, we tested substrate preference in 19 A. vulgare and 27 P. laevis acclimated to 23°C. Isopods were placed in a Petri dish divided into three sections of sand of different grain sizes (small, medium, large grains) and tested in an environmental chamber under three temperatures: 13°C, 23°C, and 33°C. Study 2 examined the impact of acclimation on thermal preference. Groups of 50 individuals of each species were acclimated to 15°C, 25°C, or 35°C and tested in a choice chamber with the choice between 15°C, 25°C, and 35°C areas. There were statistically significant differences in positional behavior, providing evidence of behavioral thermoregulation in both species. 23°C-acclimated isopods preferred room temperature, while 35°C-acclimated individuals favored cooler environments over 35°C. Cold-acclimated isopods showed no difference in positional behavior between 15°C and 23°C, suggesting a tolerance for cooler conditions. Differences between species, particularly in cold-acclimated groups, likely result from variations in body structure and heat conduction. These findings suggest that even when acclimated to higher temperatures, isopods tend to prefer moderate or cooler conditions, consistent with prior studies of ectothermic thermoregulation.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.