Metatrichoniscoides leydigii (Weber, 1880)

Boeraeve, Pepijn, Arijs, Gert, Segers, Stijn, Smedt, Pallieter De, Spinicornis & Utm, Belgium. Every grid cell of the, 1908, Habitat and seasonal activity patterns of the terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) of Belgium, Belgian Journal of Entomology 116, pp. 1-95 : 26

8. Metatrichoniscoides leydigii (Weber, 1880)

( Fig. 10 , Fig. 11 e , Map 9 , Table 11)

This small and enigmatic species is only rarely found in Belgium since it lives somewhat deeper into the soil. Most observations of the species concern only a few individuals and this means that, together with its soil dwelling habits, it is a hard to find. We therefore assume that the species is still under-recorded in Belgium. M. leydigii is found in coastal habitat and in the ecological region of the polders in open landscape ( Map 9 ), then mostly near water ( Table 11). Further inland, the species is limited to anthropogenic habitats, such as graveyards, gardens and near roads and buildings in urban areas.

Due to limited data on this species, little can be concluded about its phenology ( Fig. 10 ). However, most observations were done during the months September until December which can be assumed to be the period when the species migrates from deeper soil layers to the surface of the soil. M. leydigii is one of our most drought-sensitive species ( DIAS et al., 2013) and therefore extremely vulnerable to low moisture conditions at the soil surface during warmer months.

Figures

Map 9. Distribution map for Metatrichoniscoides leydigii.

Fig. 10. Corrected number of observations per two-month period for Metatrichoniscoides leydigii (N = 16).

Fig. 11. a, Ligidium hypnorum; b, Androniscus dentiger; c, Haplophthalmus mengii; d, Hyloniscus riparius; e, Metatrichoniscoides leydigii; f, Trichoniscoides albidus; g, Trichoniscoides helveticus; h, Trichoniscus provisorius.