Cubaris tarangensis
Despite looking cute, this is a very understudied species and belongs to a group of animals that has an important role in nutrient recycling.
Isopods are detritivores that have a very important role in a healthy ecosystem. Not only is this an under-researched species that deserves further study, it’s also cute! Woodlice are the only fully terrestrial crustacean species. The Taranga pill woodlouse is the most common woodlouse, but is often outcompeted by non-native introduced species.
This small brown woodlouse has a short, segmented body, seven pairs of legs, and one pair of antennae. This species commonly has an almost diamond-back pattern, which gives it fantastic camouflage in leaf litter. They are found throughout the North Island and the upper third of the South Island.
Like most terrestrial isopods, it is a detritivore, with a diet consisting of decaying organic matter. This is an important environmental role, and they help speed up decomposition and recycling of nutrients back into the soil, improving the soil fertility. They can be outcompeted by the very common introduced species, Porcellio scaber, which can range deep into native bush. The conservation status of this species has not been assessed under the New Zealand Threat Classification system. Its biology is poorly known.
Crustaceans are famously aquatic, but woodlice are an exception. Most species are terrestrial, although a few live in freshwater. Female woodlice lay their eggs in a broodpouch (called a marsupium) carried on the underside of the body. The young develop there.
Check these links for more info on the Taranga Pill Woodlouse in NZ
There is no Wikipedia page for the Taranga Pill Woodlouse
Wikipedia: Information on Cubaris woodlice
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