Balloniscus glaber (Crustacea, Isopoda, Balloniscidae), a habitat specialist species in a disturbed area of Brazil

Balloniscus glaber (Crustacea, Isopoda, Balloniscidae), uma espécie especialista de hábitat em uma área perturbada do Brasil

ABSTRACT

Balloniscus glaber Araujo & Zardo, 1995 (Balloniscidae), a Neotropical Oniscidea, has been recorded historically in environments with low or no human interference. In one of these areas, it was determined as aK-strategist. Recently, however, this species was documented in a disturbed forest within urban limits. The present work revealed that the population in the urban area has high density, high number of ovigerous females and mancae in the population, a long reproductive period, and early sexual maturity. These results suggest that modified environments may provide favorable conditions and that the species is not negatively affected by human influence.

KEYWORDS
Human interference; anthropogenic influence; population ecology; K-strategist; terrestrial isopods