''Cubaris'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

woodlice Woodlice are terrestrial isopods in the suborder Oniscidea. Their name is derived from being often found in old wood, and from louse, a parasitic insect, although woodlice are neither parasitic nor insects. Woodlice evolved from marine isopods ...

in the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Armadillidae Armadillidae is a family of woodlouse, woodlice (Oniscidea; terrestrial crustaceans), comprising around 80 genera and 700 species. It is the largest family of Oniscidea, and one of the most species-rich families of the entire Isopoda. Most of ...

. There are more than 100 described

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

in the genus ''Cubaris''.

Behavior and reproduction

''Cubaris'' species have, on average, lower reproduction rates and longer lifespans than other genera of

isopod Isopoda is an Order (biology), order of crustaceans. Members of this group are called isopods and include both Aquatic animal, aquatic species and Terrestrial animal, terrestrial species such as woodlice. All have rigid, segmented exoskeletons ...

. Members of the genus ''Cubaris'' are well known for their ability to conglobate, or roll up into a ball, along with other genera such as ''Armadillidium''.

Classification

''Cubaris'' was coined in 1833, from the type species '' Cubaris murina''. In 1935, the genus '' Nesodillo'' was considered a synonym of ''Cubaris''. Only in 1998 was ''Nesodillo'' re-established as a separate genus. The two genera still cause confusion when it comes to identification and

classification Classification is the activity of assigning objects to some pre-existing classes or categories. This is distinct from the task of establishing the classes themselves (for example through cluster analysis). Examples include diagnostic tests, identif ...

, and there are likely species in each genus that belong in the other. '' Cubaris pronyensis'', '' Cubaris plastica'', '' Cubaris incisa'', and '' Cubaris pacifica'' are a few examples of ''Cubaris'' species which were placed in ''Nesodillo'' at some point. In recent years ''Cubaris'' has become a

wastebasket taxon Wastebasket taxon (also called a wastebin taxon, dustbin taxon or catch-all taxon) is a term used by some taxonomists to refer to a taxon that has the purpose of classifying organisms that do not fit anywhere else. They are typically defined by e ...

, resulting in many species being placed in the genus even when they do not necessarily fit the original description. This has resulted in ''Cubaris'' becoming a vague genus that often strays from its correct description. Researchers have recommended a comprehensive revision of the genus.

As pets

Isopods considered part of the Cubaris genus are often in fairly high demand within the pet isopod hobby. Many of the ''Cubaris'' species within the hobby are either undescribed or unidentified, and are referred to as "''Cubaris'' sp.", though some have ended up being moved to other genera. One example of this is '' Nesodillo arcangelii'', which was incorrectly identified as ''Cubaris'' sp. The hobby has expanded quickly in recent years, owed largely to ''Cubaris'' sp. "Rubber Ducky". This undescribed ''Cubaris'' species garnered significant online attention, due to its face resembling that of a

rubber duck A rubber duck, or a rubber duckie, is a toy shaped like a duck, that is usually yellow with a flat base. It may be made of rubber or rubber-like material such as vinyl plastic. Rubber ducks were invented in the late 19th century when it became ...

y. A number of isopod keepers credit this species for getting them into the hobby.

References

External links

* Isopod genera Articles created by Qbugbot {{isopod-stub