Myriapoda and Terrestrial Isopoda of the Prairies of Canada

Myriapods and terrestrial isopods play important roles in numerous ecosystem processes, especially decomposition, and in the structure of soil food webs. This chapter discusses five focal taxa, specifically the terrestrial Isopoda (commonly known as pill bugs, sow bugs, roly-polys, woodlice, or slaters) and the four Classes of the Myriapoda: Diplopoda (millipedes), Chilopoda (centipedes), Pauropoda, and Symphyla (sometimes called garden centipedes). After a brief review of each taxon’s phylogenetic position, global diversity, and ecological role, current knowledge of species diversity in Canadian prairies is summarized. Biodiversity of these five groups is relatively low in the prairies of Canada. Terrestrial isopods have yet to be discovered in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba. Diplopoda are represented by ten species while six species of Chilopoda are known or suspected from the prairies. The Canadian pauropod fauna consists of two species which may be present in the prairies. Twenty-three species of Symphyla are known elsewhere in Canada, but none are known from the Prairie Provinces. Little research on these taxa has been done in this region and much remains to be discovered, likely including species new to science. In addition to diversity and distribution studies, future research directions should include studies of biology and ecology of these species.