Isopod light sensitivity theory

[StampFan]

So I've had isopods for a while now. Currently keep 9 types (8 different species, plus two P scaber types).

I keep mine in Exo-terra breeding boxes so I have better and more accurate viewing than in a milky bin.

One of the things I've noticed is morphs that are primarily white (P scaber Dalmatian especially) are *very* light sensitive. If I shine in a flashlight they scatter *quickly*. But the darker species (for comparison sake, this includes the P scaber orange, or A maculatum) do *not* even seem to notice the light. The more middle ground colour species, like my nasatum peaches are sometimes a bit light sensitive.

I have a working theory that whatever genetics creates the white morphs makes them more sensitive to light, perhaps eye color?

I just picked up my first laevis dairy cows yesterday, so will have another whiter species to throw in the mix for observation.

Just throwing this out there as we have some excellent experienced isopod folks here (@Aquarimax comes to mind as well as @Elytra and Antenna) so wanted to put out this as an interesting observation I haven't seen or read before, hoping others can try similar things to advance their knowledge of isopods.

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

So I've had isopods for a while now. Currently keep 9 types (8 different species, plus two P scaber types).

I keep mine in Exo-terra breeding boxes so I have better and more accurate viewing than in a milky bin.

One of the things I've noticed is morphs that are primarily white (P scaber Dalmatian especially) are *very* light sensitive. If I shine in a flashlight they scatter *quickly*. But the darker species (for comparison sake, this includes the P scaber orange, or A maculatum) do *not* even seem to notice the light. The more middle ground colour species, like my nasatum peaches are sometimes a bit light sensitive.

I have a working theory that whatever genetics creates the white morphs makes them more sensitive to light, perhaps eye color?

I just picked up my first laevis dairy cows yesterday, so will have another whiter species to throw in the mix for observation.

Just throwing this out there as we have some excellent experienced isopod folks here (@Aquarimax comes to mind as well as @Elytra and Antenna) so wanted to put out this as an interesting observation I haven't seen or read before, hoping others can try similar things to advance their knowledge of isopods.

I think it's a difference in the stock. The dalmatian have always been rather skittish while the Spanish orange source is different. I did keep the source specimens for the orange in a well-lighted tank originally but I don't think you can change genetic memory over a few generations. The orange dalmatian are a cross of the two stocks so that might be interesting to compare.

 

[Aquarimax]

So I've had isopods for a while now. Currently keep 9 types (8 different species, plus two P scaber types).

I keep mine in Exo-terra breeding boxes so I have better and more accurate viewing than in a milky bin.

One of the things I've noticed is morphs that are primarily white (P scaber Dalmatian especially) are *very* light sensitive. If I shine in a flashlight they scatter *quickly*. But the darker species (for comparison sake, this includes the P scaber orange, or A maculatum) do *not* even seem to notice the light. The more middle ground colour species, like my nasatum peaches are sometimes a bit light sensitive.

I have a working theory that whatever genetics creates the white morphs makes them more sensitive to light, perhaps eye color?

I just picked up my first laevis dairy cows yesterday, so will have another whiter species to throw in the mix for observation.

Just throwing this out there as we have some excellent experienced isopod folks here (@Aquarimax comes to mind as well as @Elytra and Antenna) so wanted to put out this as an interesting observation I haven't seen or read before, hoping others can try similar things to advance their knowledge of isopods.

These are some very interesting observations! You may find that they Dairy Cows May skew the data, though...in my experience are less sensitive to light than many others. They are one of the most day-active of all the isopods I keep.

As you and @Elytra and Antenna has observed, Supreme Gecko has also noted that morphs within a species can have very different habits. I have Porcellio ornatus ‘Yellow Spot’ rom Supreme Gecko. They are quite active, even during the day. He also has P. ornatus ‘Chocolate High Yellow’, and he indicates they are much less active.