Isopod

order of arthropods

Isopods are animals that belong to an order of peracarid crustaceans. This order is called Isopoda. The name Isopoda derives from the Greek roots (iso-, meaning "same") and (podos, meaning "foot"). Some isopod species live in water, like the tongue louse. Others live on land, like woodlice and pill bugs.

Isopoda
Temporal range: Carboniferous (300 – 0 Ma)
Eurydice pulchra (Cirolanidae)
Scientific classification
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Isopoda

Latreille, 1817
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Description change

Isopods can be half an inch long. They are usually gray, brown or black, with an oval-shaped body. They have seven armor plates, called "pereonites," which protect them. They also have seven pairs of short legs. Isopods have two pairs of antennae; one pair feels along the ground.

Isopods have gills and need water to breathe. Because of this, the isopod species which live on land must stay in moist places.

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  •   Media related to Isopoda at Wikimedia Commons
  •   Data related to Isopod at Wikispecies