What specialized appendages on the woodlouse abdomen house the trachea-like lungs for terrestrial respiration?
Answer
Pleopods
The essential structures for terrestrial breathing in woodlice are the pleopods, which are located on the underside of the abdomen. These are specialized, paddle-shaped appendages that contain internal structures often described as trachea-like lungs or white, egg-shaped patches. This adaptation allows woodlice to exchange gases with the air, facilitating their survival outside of strictly aquatic environments, a necessary development for their colonization of land. However, this respiratory system is inherently linked to their major vulnerability: desiccation, as the system lacks the waxy protective coverings found on insects, leading to high water loss.
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