| Summary: | The breeding phenology and
reproductive strategies of Porcellio variabilis
were investigated, both in field and laboratory,
in the population of Béja (North of Tunisia).
P. variabilis Lucas, 1946 is characterized by a seasonal
reproduction period followed by a sexual rest phase
during November, December and January. Mean fecundity
showed a great seasonal variation ranging between 29.612
eggs for females caught in the late summer, and 125.920
eggs for those collected in the spring. P. variabilis is an
iteroparous species; females were able to produce one
(95% of females), two (40% of females) or three broods
(20% of females) during their reproduction period. The
duration of the gestation period ranged from 34 days in
the first brood to 14 days in the third one. Energy allocated
to reproduction decreased from the first brood (26.29%)
to the last one (4.618%). During the sampling period,
eight cohorts were identified, each exhibiting a variable
life span estimated around 6 months for cohorts born
in early spring, and 12 months for those born in the fall.
According to our present results and previous studies in
another population of P. variabilis in Tunisia, we discuss
factors of variability in breeding phenology in this species.
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