FOOD CONSUMPTION, ASSIMILATION AND GROWTH OF S6l\1E TERiti:STRIAL ISOPOD SPECIES IN QENA REGION

Abstract

Individuals of Porcellionides proinosus, Porcellie laevis and Porcellio olivieri were collected from three localities in Qena Province and reared on Moros alba, Eucalyptus globulus, Ficus carica, Citros sinesis, Psidium guajava and Mangifera sp. (one year old) for one month to determine which of these six types of food litters is the most palatable food for each isopod species. This feeding was carried out on agar plates provided with squares of leaves of the various plant species. Food consumpton was estimated by Blower's method (1974) and assimilation was estimated by Kayed's method (1974).

The results indicated that, when the experimental Isopoda were given a choice of the six types oflitters, all isopod species showed significant dietary selection, and food preferences were similar. Moros alba litter was most readily consumed.. Then followed by Ficus carica litter for Porcellionides proinosus and Citros sinesis litter for both Porcellio olivieri and Porcellio laevis. In Porcellionides proinosus and Porcellio olivieri, the feeding rates on Psidium guajava litter was very low; whereas the feeding rates on Mangifera sp.litter was very low by Porcellio laevis.