Locomotor activity pattern in pairs of the subsocial desert isopod Hemilepistus reaumurii.

Locomotor activity rhythm of fresh adult of H. reaumurii was recorded in pairs with ovigerous and with non-ovigerous females. According to double-plotted actograms and waveform curves, results showed the presence of different locomotor patterns. In fact, locomotor profiles of pairs with ovigerous females were mainly bimodal whatever the recording conditions, whereas locomotor patterns were trimodal in pairs with non-ovigerous females. Results showed also that locomotor activity rhythm was more stable in the presence of the synchronizer (nLD cycle) than in constant darkness whatever the recording type. Moreover, the most important stability of the locomotor rhythm was observed under constant darkness and individuals were more active in pairs with ovigerous females than in pairs with non-ovigerous females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]