The College of Science for Women at the University of Baghdad examined master’s thesis entitled “Ecopopulation dynamics study of the two specis Polydesmas denticulatus (C.L.Koch,1847) and Choneiulus palmatus (Nemec,1895) (Arthropoda:Diplopoda ) in AL-Jadriyia District-Baghdad-Iraq” Presented by the postgraduate student Ghufran Abdulrahman Radhi as a requirement for the degree of Master of science in Biology/ Ecology. The study was supervised by Lecturer.Israa Mohsin Jasim .
The study focused on the role of the two species Choneiulus palmatus and Polydesmus denticulatus in the soil and their effectiveness in the environment. The population dynamics of these species were studied, showing significant variation in population density throughout the different months of the study. Densities were high during spring and autumn, and low during winter and summer. The species also exhibited a high degree of clumped distribution in the study area. As for the sex ratio, there was a significant predominance of females over males, with the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.05) during the reproductive months. Through the separation of population generations, it was found that both species have four generations: A, B, C, and D .
The study also included life table analyses for both species throughout the study period, estimating the life expectancy of the population despite differences in population density. The initial population density was 16 individuals/m² for Polydesmus denticulatus and 48 individuals/m² for Choneiulus palmatus. The survival curves for both species were classified as concave-type. Seasonal differences in growth rates between males and females of both species were evident throughout the study period, with the highest growth rates recorded in spring and autumn .
The study recommended conducting future research on the effects of pesticides on these species due to their feeding on organic matter in the soil. It also suggested studying their relationship with energy flow, the food chain, and ecosystem structure, as they are considered components of the ecosystem. Additionally, the study encouraged the use of molecular techniques for species identification .
Final Grade : Very good .
