THE EFFECT OF DIET ON THE POPULATION SIZE AND NUTRITIONAL CONTENT OF ONISCUS ASELLUS

Author

• Haley R. Plaugher, Otterbein UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Honors Paper

Degree Name

Biology-BS

Department

Biology & Earth Science

Advisor

Dr. Sarah Bouchard

First Committee Member

Dr. Bennet Grooms

Second Committee Member

Dr. Kathryn Plank

Keywords

Isopods, Population Size, Nutritional Content, Nutrition

Subject Categories

Higher Education | Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Abstract

Diet strongly influences the population size of isopods, making nutrition a key factor in colony growth. This study tested the effects of high protein, high carbohydrate, and high calcium diets on the population size and nutritional content of Oniscus asellus. Isopods were housed in plastic tubs with soil and moss and were randomly assigned to a diet. Supplemental powders and leaf litter were provided ad libitum, and consumption was measured to ensure treatment exposure. After four months of feeding, population size and body composition were assessed. Although all isopods from all treatments consumed their leaf litter diet at similar rates, the supplemental powder intake differed, with isopods on the high calcium treatment consuming the least. Diet had a significant impact on the population size of O. asellus, with isopods reared on a high protein diet having a significantly higher population count. Only the protein treatment had an increasing population and was three times higher than other treatments. The body composition of Oniscus asellus reared in the high protein treatment had the highest percentage of organic matter and the lowest inorganic matter. Isopods reared on the calcium and control treatments had the lowest organic matter and the highest inorganic matter. Providing isopods with a higher protein diet may promote faster growth of individuals and increased reproduction, resulting in more sustainable populations. By understanding how diet influences colony development, keepers can better manage their isopod colonies and improve the reliability of using isopods as a mineral rich feeder for insectivores.

Licensing Permission

Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use

Recommended Citation

Plaugher, Haley R., "THE EFFECT OF DIET ON THE POPULATION SIZE AND NUTRITIONAL CONTENT OF ONISCUS ASELLUS" (2026). Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects. 216.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_honor/216

Acknowledgement 1

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Acknowledgement 2

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