Exploring the Potential of Terrestrial Isopoda, Porcellionides cingendus, for Assessing Environmental Sustainability
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Abstract<p><bold>Introduction:</bold> Environmental sustainability is crucial for maintaining diverse and productive biological systems. Terrestrial isopods, such as Porcellionides cingendus, are known for their environmentally friendly characteristics and adaptability. This study explores the potential of <italic>P. cingendus</italic> in improving environmental sustainability.
<bold>Methods:</bold> Samples of P. cingendus were collected from various locations and reared in controlled environments. Waste consumption efficiency was evaluated by measuring the consumption of various cellulosic wastes over 15 days. Statistical analysis was performed using One-Way ANOVA.
<bold>Results and Discussion:</bold> <italic>P. cingendus</italic> individuals exhibited varying consumption rates for different types of wastes. Wood sawdust recorded the highest consumption percentage (99.2%), followed by citrus leaves (81.9%), potato peels (70.4%), <italic>Cynodon dactylon</italic> (68.4%), and cardboard (34.1%). The consumption differences can be attributed to dietary preference, food source, and digestibility. Wood sawdust, with its cellulose content, was highly attractive to <italic>P. cingendus</italic>. Citrus leaves were preferred due to their chemical composition and smell. However, cardboard was the least preferred, possibly due to its chemical composition and lack of easy digestibility.
<bold>Conclusion:</bold> <italic>P. cingendus</italic>, particularly its preference for wood sawdust and citrus leaves, shows potential for efficiently consuming cellulosic wastes, indicating their ability to contribute to environmental cleaning and sustainability. Understanding the waste consumption efficiency of <italic>P. cingendus</italic> can aid in developing strategies for waste management and ecological preservation. Further research is warranted to explore their role as bioindicators for assessing environmental sustainability.</p>
