CHARACTERIZATION OF THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF THE FEMALES OF PORCELLIO LAMELLATUS (ISOPODA, ONISCIDEA) FROM THE SHORES OF BIZERTE LAGOON (TUNISIA)

The reproductive cycle of Porcellio lamellatus Budde-Lund, 1885 was studied by a breeding survey of 333 ovigerous females and females with empty marsupium, collected during June, July, and August 2006. The se females were followed from the day of collection until their death. Breeding was carried out under natural conditions of temperature, photoperiod, and humidity in the laboratory. Characterization of the reproductive cycle was based on several parameters: the number of parturition moults occurring during, a year cycle (05 June 2006 to 06 June 2007); the duration of the various types of intermoult: parturial, preparturial, or normal; the gestation period in spring and in summer, as well as the time span to enter the reproductive phase for the females submitted to various conditions of grouping with other specimens of the species.