Eluma matae explained

Eluma matae is a species of woodlouse distributed throughout Portugal.[1]

Description

The back of the pereonites and pleonites are smooth, with circular depressions covered in setae of varying shapes and sizes. It is capable of volvation without leaving any gaps, similar to Armadillidium vulgare. Like other members of its genus, its eyes are characterised by a single large ommatidium. It has a maximum length of 12mm. It has a generally purplish-brown to dark green color, with a large white spot at the limit of the epimera.[2]

Ecology

Members of this species live under mostly limestone rocks with large amounts of plant debris in regions with natural vegetation, particularly Quercus faginea. They were found together with Ctenoscia minima and Porcellio dispar.

Notes and References

  1. Taiti, Stefano. 2023. 1642679. isopoda. Eluma matae Cifuentes & Da Silva, 2023.
  2. Cifuentes . J. . Da Silva . L. P. . 2023 . The genus Eluma in the Iberian Peninsula, with the description of a new terrestrial isopod: Eluma matae sp. nov. (Oniscidea, Armadillidiidae, Eluminae) . European Journal of Taxonomy . 860 . 33-38.