Breeding two different isopods together

The logic of breeding two different isopod genus together is likely to have been carried over from other exotic hobby communities. For example, hybridising (i.e. cross breeding) in the ball python community is common and has led to many fantastic morphs being produced in the captive bred community. 

Unfortunately, we are unaware of any scientific papers, articles or hobby news reporting positively that different isopod genus/species are capable of crossbreeding. While isopods are often observed attempting to breed with other species, the act is only mechanical with no genetic success; just like a dog enthusiastically humping its favourite toy.

There are still so many gaps in our knowledge when it comes to isopod genetics alone and the interplay between their morphological and/or behavioural design appear to make different isopod genus/species incapable of hybridising. For example, the Porcellio isopod genus is very diverse with the range of species. If a P. ornatus was housed with a P. scaber nothing would happen where breeding is concerned.  

Not only are isopods genetically different, preventing fertilization as often their genitalia are incompatible, inhibiting successful copulation. Additionally, isopods come in many different shapes, sizes, different parts of the world, have different behavioural features and tolerances. It is likely two different isopod genus/species are essentially foreign from one another. 

Cohabiting two different isopod genus/species together will likely only serve to cause one or both colonies to die off as the females may become too stress which may lead to her aborting her eggs or die due to stress. Furthermore, it may cause one type of isopod to out compete the other or lead to aggression and cannibalism. 

There are a handful of subspecies that can hybridise – the most prominent example is that of Oniscus asellus asellus and Oniscus asellus occidentalis. Both asellus asellus and asellus occidentalis have uniquely presenting penile papillae, and interestingly, the offspring of the two subspecies has penile papillae unique from either parent species!

While it may appear a fun and exciting experience to see if crossbreeding different isopods is possible, we generally recommend avoiding it.