# Niche Differentiation of Three Terrestrial Isopod Species Based on DNA Metabarcoding

## TL;DR

This study uses DNA metabarcoding to show how three isopod species coexist by eating different plants, reducing competition.

## Contribution

The study reveals new dietary insights and niche differentiation in terrestrial isopods using DNA metabarcoding.

## Key findings

- Trachelipus semiproiectus has the broadest diet, including Bryopsida and Polypodiopsida.
- Armadillidium vulgare and Sphaeroma raffaelei have more specialized diets in Sapindales and Rosales.
- Dietary overlap indices show moderate to low competition between species.

## Abstract

Species coexistence is a hot topic in ecology, with niche differentiation playing a key role in reducing interspecific competition. This study investigates the dietary habits and niche differentiation of three terrestrial isopod species (
Armadillidium vulgare
, Sphaeroma raffaelei, and
Trachelipus semiproiectus
) using DNA metabarcoding technology. By analyzing plant food composition, we identified significant differences in dietary preferences and niche widths among the species, with niche width (B) values of 13.3987 for
T. semiproiectus
, 10.0396 for
S. raffaelei
, and 6.0363 for
A. vulgare
.
Trachelipus semiproiectus
exhibited the broadest trophic niche, consuming a diverse range of plant taxa, including Bryopsida and Polypodiopsida, while
A. vulgare
and
S. raffaelei
showed more specialized diets dominated by Sapindales and Rosales, respectively. Dietary overlap indices (O

jk
) revealed moderate overlap between
T. semiproiectus
and
A. vulgare
(0.48) and
S. raffaelei
(0.39), whereas
A. vulgare
and
S. raffaelei
showed the lowest overlap (0.29). The results highlight the importance of dietary specialization and resource partitioning in facilitating species coexistence. This study provides new insights into the feeding ecology of terrestrial isopods and contributes to understanding soil invertebrate community dynamics, offering a foundation for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.

Species coexistence is a hot topic in ecology, with niche differentiation playing a key role in reducing interspecific competition. This study investigates the dietary habits and niche differentiation of three terrestrial isopod species (
Armadillidium vulgare
, Sphaeroma raffaelei, and
Trachelipus semiproiectus
) using DNA metabarcoding technology. This study provides new insights into the feeding ecology of terrestrial isopods and contributes to understanding soil invertebrate community dynamics, offering a foundation for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.