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Cited by 50Physiological and biochemical adaptationsCrustacean biology and ecologyTardigrade Biology and Ecology

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Conglobation in the Pill Bug,Armadillidium vulgare, as a Water Conservation Mechanism

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Smigel, Jacob T., Gibbs, Allen G.·2008·Journal of Insect Science
DOI 10.1673/031.008.4401PMC PMC3127403
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Abstract

Water balance of the terrestrial isopod, Armadillidium vulgare, was investigated during conglobation (rolling-up behavior). Water loss and metabolic rates were measured at 18 +/- 1 degrees C in dry air using flow-through respirometry. Water-loss rates decreased 34.8% when specimens were in their conglobated form, while CO2 release decreased by 37.1%. Water loss was also measured gravimetrically at humidities ranging from 6 to 75 %RH. Conglobation was associated with a decrease in water-loss rates up to 53 %RH, but no significant differences were observed at higher humidities. Our findings suggest that conglobation behavior may help to conserve water, in addition to its demonstrated role in protection from predation.

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Figure 1. An isopod subjected to forced conglobation by a dental rubber band.
Figure 1. An isopod subjected to forced conglobation by a dental rubber band.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 2. Rates of water loss from male and female A. vulgare in free and conglobated states. Symbols: Closed, free; open, conglobated; circles, females; triangles, males.
Figure 2. Rates of water loss from male and female A. vulgare in free and conglobated states. Symbols: Closed, free; open, conglobated; circles, females; triangles, males.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 3. Rates of CO2 release in male and female A. vulgare in free and conglobated states. Symbols: Closed, free; open, conglobated; circles, females; triangles, males.
Figure 3. Rates of CO2 release in male and female A. vulgare in free and conglobated states. Symbols: Closed, free; open, conglobated; circles, females; triangles, males.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 4. Water loss of A. vulgare in free and conglobated states, after 3 h in humidities ranging from 6.0 to 75.4 %RH.
Figure 4. Water loss of A. vulgare in free and conglobated states, after 3 h in humidities ranging from 6.0 to 75.4 %RH.CC BY · PubMed Central

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References 31 · Cited by 50

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Metadata

Authors
Smigel, J. T., & Gibbs, A. G.
Affiliations
  • Midwestern University (US)
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas (US)
ORCID
Gibbs, Allen G.
Venue
Journal of Insect Science
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2008-05
Volume
8
Issue
44
Pages
1-9
ISSN
1536-2442 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1673/031.008.4401
PMC
PMC3127403
OpenAlex
W2130681352
Cited by
50
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
FWCI
0.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Journal of Insect Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • BioOne Complete (BioOne) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (0514402)
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Physiological and biochemical adaptations
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Crustacean biology and ecology
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Tardigrade Biology and Ecology
Keywords
Armadillidium vulgare, pill bugs, water conservation, water balance, water loss, metabolic rate, humidity, terrestrial isopods, respiration, predator avoidance
MeSH terms
Animals, Behavior, Animal, Carbon Dioxide, Escape Reaction, Humidity, Water, Isopoda

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Conglobation in the Pill Bug,Armadillidium vulgare, as a Water Conservation Mechanism. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1673/031.008.4401
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Smigel, J. T., & Gibbs, A. G. (2008). Conglobation in the Pill Bug,Armadillidium vulgare, as a Water Conservation Mechanism. Journal of Insect Science. https://doi.org/10.1673/031.008.4401