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Journals / Kommagene Biyoloji Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 1

Morphological Redescription and Monthly Variation in the Population Density of the Terrestrial Isopod Porcellionides pruinosus (Isopoda: Porcellionidae) in Southern Iraq

Güney Irak’ta Kara İzopodu Porcellionides pruinosus’un (Isopoda: Porcellionidae) Morfolojik Yeniden Tanımlaması ve Popülasyon Yoğunluğundaki Aylık Değişim

Azhar Al-khazalı(Department of Science, College of Basic Education, University of Sumer, Dhi Qar, Iraq.)0000-0001-7268-696X
Mueid Abd Al-sahib(Department of Science, College of Basic Education, University of Sumer, Dhi Qar, Iraq)0009-0008-5701-1364
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-02-02
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This study also provides novel regional data to the limited body of knowledge on terrestrial isopods in the Middle East.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This study provides an integrative ecological and taxonomic assessment of Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833) from agricultural habitats in Dhi Qar Province, southern Iraq.
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Key Findings & Data:Field sampling was conducted monthly from August 2024 to July 2025 across four agricultural stations: Al-Shatrah, Al-Rifai, Al-Nasr, and Qalat Sukkar.
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Conclusion & Impact:This study also provides novel regional data to the limited body of knowledge on terrestrial isopods in the Middle East.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2024 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Bolluk · ekoloji · morfoloji

Abstract

This study provides an integrative ecological and taxonomic assessment of Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833) from agricultural habitats in Dhi Qar Province, southern Iraq. Field sampling was conducted monthly from August 2024 to July 2025 across four agricultural stations: Al-Shatrah, Al-Rifai, Al-Nasr, and Qalat Sukkar. Morphological redescription confirmed key diagnostic traits including a subrectangular cephalon, pale reticulate patterning, and spear-shaped uropods consistent with previously published descriptions of the species. Population density exhibited clear spatial and seasonal fluctuations. The annual mean density was highest in Al-Rifai (281.3 ± 108.2 ind./m²) and Al-Nasr (257.1 ± 123.5 ind./m²) followed by Al-Shatrah (246.3 ± 91.2 ind./m²) and Qalat Sukkar (213.7 ± 92.3 ind./m²). Peak values were recorded during spring, especially in March and April, while the lowest densities occurred in winter months. These patterns reflect the species’ ecological adaptability and seasonal responsiveness under semi-arid conditions. The findings highlight the potential of P. pruinosus to serve as a bioindicator of soil health and habitat stability in disturbed agroecosystems. This study also provides novel regional data to the limited body of knowledge on terrestrial isopods in the Middle East.

Özet

Bu çalışma, Irak’ın güneyindeki Dhi Qar ilindeki tarımsal habitatlardan toplanan Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833) türüne ilişkin bütüncül ekolojik ve taksonomik bir değerlendirme sunmaktadır. Arazi örneklemesi, 2024 Ağustos ile 2025 Temmuz ayları arasında, Al-Shatrah, Al-Rifai, Al-Nasr ve Qalat Sukkar olmak üzere dört tarımsal istasyonda aylık olarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Morfolojik yeniden tanımlama, türün daha önce yayımlanmış tanımlarıyla uyumlu olarak, subrektangular sefalon, soluk ağsı esenlenme ve mızrak şeklindeki üropodlar gibi temel tanısal özellikleri doğrulamıştır. Popülasyon yoğunluğu, belirgin mekânsal ve mevsimsel dalgalanmalar göstermiştir. Yıllık ortalama yoğunluk, sırasıyla Al-Rifai’de (281,3 ± 108,2 birey/m²) ve Al-Nasr’da (257,1 ± 123,5 birey/m²) en yüksek, ardından Al-Shatrah (246,3 ± 91,2 birey/m²) ve Qalat Sukkar’da (213,7 ± 92,3 birey/m²) kaydedilmiştir. En yüksek değerler özellikle Mart ve Nisan aylarında, ilkbahar döneminde gözlenirken, en düşük yoğunluklar kış aylarında ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu desenler, türün yarı kurak koşullar altında ekolojik uyum yeteneğini ve mevsimsel tepkiselliğini yansıtmaktadır. Bulgular, P. pruinosus’un bozulmuş tarımsal ekosistemlerde toprak sağlığı ve habitat istikrarının biyogöstergesi olarak kullanılma potansiyelini vurgulamaktadır. Ayrıca, bu çalışma Orta Doğu’daki karasal izopodlar üzerine sınırlı bilgi birikimine yeni bölgesel veriler sağlamaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Al-khazalı, A., Al-sahib, M. A. (2026). Morphological Redescription and Monthly Variation in the Population Density of the Terrestrial Isopod Porcellionides pruinosus (Isopoda: Porcellionidae) in Southern Iraq. Kommagene Biyoloji Dergisi, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 1. https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.1760689

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