SPATIO-TEMPORAL VARIATION OF TERRESTRIAL ISOPOD DIVERSITY IN THE BIZERTE AGROECOSYSTEMS (NORTH-EAST OF TUNISIA)

In Tunisia, the diversity of epigeic arthropods was studied for the first time in a cultivated area. In this study, we focused on terrestrial Isopods (Oniscidea) in Bizerte agroeco-systems (NE of Tunisia). Isopods were sampled at 8 plots in the sectors of Ghar El Melh and Utique, using pitfall traps. In the field, five pitfall traps were randomly placed in each plot during 4 seasons from autumn (October 2009) to summer (July 2010). In the laboratory, isopods were identified and counted. Overall, seven species of terrestrial isopods were recorded. Porcellio laevis Latreille, 1804 was present whatever the season, plot and sector. Armadillidium album Dollfus, 1887 and Armadillidium tunisiense Hamaied & Charfi-Cheikhrouha, 2007 were found only in the sector of Ghar El Melh. Differences in the composition and abundance of terrestrial isopods could be attributed to soil characteristics recorded in all plots.