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Abstract
Terrestrial isopods are members of crustaceans which play an important role in soil formation.
The present study is an attempt to though the light on this group in Assiut and explain the effect of ecological factors and heavy metals on their abundance and distribution.
Four different sites have been chosen for study.
Monthly samples were taken from studied studied sites for a period of 17 months; from January 1999 till May 2000.
Isopods were separated, classified and counted.
Air and soil temperatures were recorded during sampling.
Also, pH, water content and organic matter content of soil were determined.
Besides, the concentration of four heavy metals (Cd,Cu, pb & Zn) in soil and litter were recorded during 12 months; from March 1999 till February 2000, as limiting factors for isopods.
Statisical results indicted that there are significant differences between studied studied sites in ecological factors and heavy metals in soil & litter (expect in Cu and Zn in litter), while there are no significant differences between seasons except for some cases.
Three isopod species were observed in the investigated sites; Porcellionides pruinosus, Leptotrichus naupliensis and proporcellio quadriseratus.
The three investigated species were recorded in all studied sites, except L. naupliensis was not recorded in site III.
P.pruinosus was the dominant species recorded in the four sites.
The hightest numbers of isopods were collected from site , whereas the lowest numbers were found in site III.