What specialized structure does the female woodlouse use to carry and nourish fertilized eggs?
Answer
Marsupium (brood pouch)
Reproduction in woodlice reflects their need to maintain a moist environment for their developing young, mirroring the aquatic conditions of their ancestors. Following fertilization, the female possesses a specialized structure called a marsupium, frequently referred to as a brood pouch, situated on the underside of her body. This pouch is formed by overlapping plates attached to the first five pairs of legs. Within this protected sac, the developing embryos receive the necessary supply of water, oxygen, and nutrients until they are ready to hatch. This mechanism effectively substitutes the need for the free-swimming larval stage common in some other arthropods, ensuring the earliest stages of life are kept hydrated.
Related Questions
Woodlice are taxonomically closer relatives to which familiar animals than to insects?What specialized internal structures do woodlice possess due to lacking a waterproof waxy cuticle?How does the woodlouse molt process occur, setting it apart from many other arthropods?What colloquial name are woodlice known by in Devon, according to local surveys?What ecological role do woodlice primarily fulfill in terrestrial ecosystems regarding decaying organic matter?What specialized structure does the female woodlouse use to carry and nourish fertilized eggs?Approximately when is the initial colonization of land by woodlouse ancestors thought to have occurred?What defensive ability, exemplified by Armadillidium vulgare, reduces predator exposure and water loss?How many pairs of legs does a woodlouse possess compared to a pill millipede?Why might woodlice serve as bioindicators in soil health studies?