CONTINUOUS BREEDING IN 2 RARE, FOSSORIAL, ONISCID ISOPOD SPECIES FROMTHE CENTRAL NEGEV DESERT

In the present study the reproductive patterns in the laboratory of tw o isopod species inhabiting the Negev desert are described. The specie s are: Porcellio olivieri Aud. et Sav., and Agabiformius obtusus nov., (Porcellionidae). Due to their secretive, fossorial habits, these spe cies are rarely found except for brief periods in mid-winter when they can be seen under stones in certain areas of the Central Negev. The s pecies are iteroparous, and bred in the laboratory almost continuously . In the laboratory P. olivieri matures within its first year, and liv es for at least four more years. Agabiformius obtusus matures when abo ut 3-months-old and breeds up to seven times during its short life spa n of about 1 year.