ABSTRACT
The isopod fauna was studied in different habitats within the Mediterranean region of Northern Israel. Four habitats were involved in the survey, two grasslands, an oakwoodland and a planted pine forest. All isopod specimens were methodically handcollected from under stones within a randomly chosen area of 400 m2 divided into sixteen 5 X 5 m sized quadrats. The sampling took place during winter and spring when the isopods were at their peak activity period. The number of stones in each quadrat and their approximate size were also recorded. The data were evaluated at three scaling levels: 1) Macrodistribution - comparing the species composition and abundance of isopods among different habitats within the studied geographical region. 2) Microdistribution - comparison of isopod distribution among different quadrats within the same habitat. 3) Minidistribution - cohabitation of isopod species under single stones within a habitat. Isopods were unevenly distributed among the habitats studied. Some species were more abundant in grassland (Porcellioficulneus, Schizidium tiberianum, Armadillo sp. 'brown'), whereas others (Armadillo officinalis) were found in large numbers in planted pine forest. Only two species (Porcellionides pruinosus and Chaetophiloscia spp. complex) were abundant in all habitats. There was a negative relationship between isopod aggregation and the number of stones within a habitat. Medium and large stones proved to be the most suitable shelters for isopods.
