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Freshwater isopod |
| Limited
living space This freshwater isopod only lives in mound springs and cannot survive for very long out of water. It can live in a wide range of temperatures and salinity. If its mound spring is damaged by trampling stock or pollutants, it can die. If the springs dry up either naturally or because people drilled too many bores for water, the isopod will die. Birds seem to leave it alone, so it probably is not good eating. |
The freshwater isopod |
 This freshwater isopod only lives in mound springs around Lake Eyre South. It is a relic of a wetter Australia - all its close relatives are temperate forest dwellers. No collection data |
Living in
groups The freshwater isopods are sometimes seen along the edges of springs. They shelter under rocks, logs or the banks of the spring, often in large numbers. They eat dead things and can quickly strip the meat off a dead animal. They also eat rotting plants and animals. |
| Baby
isopods Freshwater isopod eggs are carried in the female's pouch. The babies hatch out looking like small copies of their parents. They hide in the mud to escape their enemies. Sometimes the young isopods get stuck on birds' legs and are taken to other nearby mound springs. |
 Freshwater isopods need water but it does not have to be very deep. Where does the land stop and the mound spring start in this picture? Mound spring stream near Hermit Hill. Photos: W Zeidler, 1989 |
The freshwater isopod
- lives only in mound springs
- can get stuck to birds legs and taken to other places
- is rarely eaten by birds.
 Vegetation
Inland paperbark The inland paperbark has wide spreading roots that tolerate saline water and prevent the plant being washed away during floods. Its small seeds, however, are spread to new environments by flood water. The seeds may also be transported attached to mud on the feet of passing birds. Young isopods or isopod eggs can also be transported in these ways too. The small narrow leaves are densely covered with hairs which reduce water loss by evaporation. Just as the isopod is unattractive to birds, Melaleuca leaves contain oils which make them unpalatable to leaf-eating animals. Melaleuca glomerata Melas (Greek) = black leucas (Greek) = white Melaleuca = black/white as the trunk and branches are often different colours. glomeratus = club shaped (referring to the heads of flowers). |