1
|
Kasalo N, Tvrtković N, Bogić D, Kokan B, Vuković M, Kučinić M, Skejo J. An Overview of Orthoptera Mass Occurrences in Croatia from 1900 to 2023. Insects 2024; 15:82. [PMID: 38392502 PMCID: PMC10888734 DOI: 10.3390/insects15020082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
During the last century, well-known locust species, such as Calliptamus italicus and Dociostaurus maroccanus, have produced outbreaks of varying degrees in the Balkans. The literature data on outbreaks in the region are scarce, and Croatia is not an exception. This study summarized the data on 23 Orthoptera mass occurrences in Croatia from 1900 to 2023 from 28 localities, representing 12 species. This is a low level of outbreak activity compared with other locust and pest grasshopper species in other parts of the world. The species with the most reporting is C. italicus with altogether six mass occurrences, while second is Barbitistes ocskayi and Miramella irena with three records, and in the third, place D. maroccanus and Gryllotalpa sp., each with two mass occurrences having been reported. One of the most notable swarms is that of Anacridium aegyptium which occurred around Šibenik in 1998, and this paper provides the first account of it, 25 years after it took place. The most recent outbreaks took place in 2022, and the most notable one was that of D. maroccanus swarm in Štikovo. The 2022 and 2023 reports were brief and muted, despite the affected agriculturists claiming significant damages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niko Kasalo
- Independent Researcher, Matice Hrvatske 11, BA-80101 Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nikola Tvrtković
- Independent Researcher, Alagovićeva 21, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Domagoj Bogić
- Division of Zoology, Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Bože Kokan
- Natural History Museum Split, Kolombatovićevo Šetalište 2, HR-21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Marijana Vuković
- Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mladen Kučinić
- Division of Zoology, Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josip Skejo
- Division of Zoology, Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gaugel SM, Hawlitschek O, Dey LS, Husemann M. Evolution of mitogenomic gene order in Orthoptera. Insect Mol Biol 2023. [PMID: 36883292 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial gene order has contributed to the elucidation of evolutionary relationships in several animal groups. It generally has found its application as a phylogenetic marker for deep nodes. Yet, in Orthoptera limited research has been performed on the gene order, although the group represents one of the oldest insect orders. We performed a comprehensive study on mitochondrial genome rearrangements (MTRs) within Orthoptera in the context of mitogenomic sequence-based phylogeny. We used 280 published mitogenome sequences from 256 species, including three outgroup species, to reconstruct a molecular phylogeny. Using a heuristic approach, we assigned MTR scenarios to the edges of the phylogenetic tree and reconstructed ancestral gene orders to identify possible synapomorphies in Orthoptera. We found all types of MTRs in our dataset: inversions, transpositions, inverse transpositions, and tandem-duplication/random loss events (TDRL). Most of the suggested MTRs were in single and unrelated species. Out of five MTRs which were unique in subgroups of Orthoptera, we suggest four of them to be synapomorphies; those were in the infraorder Acrididea, in the tribe Holochlorini, in the subfamily Pseudophyllinae, and in the two families Phalangopsidae and Gryllidae or their common ancestor (leading to the relationship ((Phalangopsidae + Gryllidae) + Trigonidiidae)). However, similar MTRs have been found in distant insect lineages. Our findings suggest convergent evolution of specific mitochondrial gene orders in several species, deviant from the evolution of the mitogenome DNA sequence. As most MTRs were detected at terminal nodes, a phylogenetic inference of deeper nodes based on MTRs is not supported. Hence, the marker does not seem to aid resolving the phylogeny of Orthoptera, but adds further evidence for the complex evolution of the whole group, especially at the genetic and genomic levels. The results indicate a high demand for more research on patterns and underlying mechanisms of MTR events in Orthoptera.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Maria Gaugel
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Museum of Nature, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Hawlitschek
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Museum of Nature, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lara-Sophie Dey
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Museum of Nature, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Husemann
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Museum of Nature, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tarasova T, Tishechkin D, Vedenina V. Songs and morphology in three species of the Chorthippusbiguttulus group (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Gomphocerinae) in Russia and adjacent countries. Zookeys 2021; 1073:21-53. [PMID: 34949950 PMCID: PMC8648708 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1073.75539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Songs and morphology are compared between Chorthippusmiramae (Vorontsovsky, 1928) that was previously named as C.porphyropterus and two other closely related species, C.brunneus (Thunberg, 1815) and C.maritimus Mistshenko, 1951. We compare them because the calling song of C.miramae was previously shown to have song elements similar to those of other two species. One morphological character, the length of stridulatory file, appeared to be the best character to distinguish between all three species. For C.maritimus and C.miramae, we present the morphological descriptions since they are absent in the literature. We also establish the synonymy C.maritimus = C.bornhalmi Harz, 1971, syn. n. = C.biguttuluseximius Mistshenko, 1951, syn. n. In the song analysis, we analyse not only the sound but also the leg-movement pattern, which is very helpful to find a homology between various song elements. We show that the calling song of C.miramae usually contains two elements, one element being similar to the C.brunneus calling song, and another – to the C.maritimus calling song. Despite some similarities, the calling song elements in C.miramae have some peculiarities. The courtship song of C.miramae is similar to the C.brunneus song, whereas the rivalry songs of C.miramae comprise both the maritimus-like elements and the unique ones. C.miramae generally demonstrates a richer song repertoire than the other two species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Tarasova
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Bolshoy Karetny per.19, Moscow 127051 Russia Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russia
| | - Dmitry Tishechkin
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, Moscow 119234 Russia Moscow State University Moscow Russia
| | - Varvara Vedenina
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Bolshoy Karetny per.19, Moscow 127051 Russia Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guzmán NV, Kemppainen P, Monti D, Castillo ERD, Rodriguero MS, Sánchez-Restrepo AF, Cigliano MM, Confalonieri VA. Stable inversion clines in a grasshopper species group despite complex geographical history. Mol Ecol 2021; 31:1196-1215. [PMID: 34862997 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomal inversions are known to play roles in adaptation and differentiation in many species. They involve clusters of correlated genes (i.e., loci in linkage disequilibrium, LD) possibly associated with environmental variables. The grasshopper "species complex" Trimerotropis pallidipennis comprises several genetic lineages distributed from North to South America in arid and semi-arid high-altitude environments. The southernmost lineage, Trimerotropis sp., segregates for four to seven putative inversions that display clinal variation, possibly through adaptation to temperate environments. We analysed chromosomal, mitochondrial and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism data in 19 Trimerotropis sp. populations mainly distributed along two altitudinal gradients (MS and Ju). Populations across Argentina comprise two main chromosomally and genetically differentiated lineages: one distributed across the southernmost border of the "Andes Centrales," adding evidence for a differentiation hotspot in this area; and the other widely distributed in Argentina. Within the latter, network analytical approaches to LD found three clusters of correlated loci (LD-clusters), with inversion karyotypes explaining >79% of the genetic variation. Outlier loci associated with environmental variables mapped to two of these LD-clusters. Furthermore, despite the complex geographical history indicated by population genetic analyses, the clines in inversion karyotypes have remained stable for more than 20 generations, implicating their role in adaptation and differentiation within this lineage. We hypothesize that these clines could be the consequence of a coupling between extrinsic postzygotic barriers and spatially varying selection along environmental gradients resulting in a hybrid zone. These results provide a framework for future investigations about candidate genes implicated in rapid adaptation to new environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noelia V Guzmán
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, FCEyN, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), IEGEBA (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)/UBA), Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Petri Kemppainen
- Ecological Genetics Research Unit, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniela Monti
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, FCEyN, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), IEGEBA (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)/UBA), Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elio R D Castillo
- Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva "Dr. Claudio J. Bidau", FCEQyN, Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS) (CONICET/UNaM), LQH, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Marcela S Rodriguero
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, FCEyN, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), IEGEBA (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)/UBA), Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés F Sánchez-Restrepo
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, FCEyN, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), IEGEBA (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)/UBA), Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas (FuEDEI), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Marta Cigliano
- Museo de La Plata, Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE- CONICET/UNLP), Universidad Nacional de la Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Viviana A Confalonieri
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, FCEyN, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), IEGEBA (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)/UBA), Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lemoine NP. Phenology dictates the impact of climate change on geographic distributions of six co-occurring North American grasshoppers. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:18575-18590. [PMID: 35003694 PMCID: PMC8717342 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout the last century, climate change has altered the geographic distributions of many species. Insects, in particular, vary in their ability to track changing climates, and it is likely that phenology is an important determinant of how well insects can either expand or shift their geographic distributions in response to climate change. Grasshoppers are an ideal group to test the hypothesis that phenology correlates with range expansion, given that co-occurring confamilial, and even congeneric, species can differ in phenology. Here, I tested the hypothesis that early- and late-season species should possess different range expansion potentials, as estimated by habitat suitability from ecological niche models. I used nine different modeling techniques to estimate habitat suitability of six grasshopper species of varying phenology under two climate scenarios for the year 2050. My results suggest that, of the six species examined here, early-season species were more sensitive to climate change than late-season species. The three early-season species examined here might shift northward during the spring, while the modeled geographic distributions of the three late-season species were generally constant under climate change, likely because they were pre-adapted to hot and dry conditions. Phenology might therefore be a good predictor of how insect distributions might change in the future, but this hypothesis remains to be tested at a broader scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P. Lemoine
- Department of Biological SciencesMarquette UniversityMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
- Department of ZoologyMilwaukee Public MuseumMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Barreto L, Shon A, Knox D, Song H, Park H, Kim J. Motorized Treadmill and Optical Recording System for Gait Analysis of Grasshoppers. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:s21175953. [PMID: 34502844 PMCID: PMC8434632 DOI: 10.3390/s21175953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Insects, which serve as model systems for many disciplines with their unique advantages, have not been extensively studied in gait research because of the lack of appropriate tools and insect models to properly study the insect gaits. (2) Methods: In this study, we present a gait analysis of grasshoppers with a closed-loop custom-designed motorized insect treadmill with an optical recording system for quantitative gait analysis. We used the eastern lubber grasshopper, a flightless and large-bodied species, as our insect model. Gait kinematics were recorded and analyzed by making three grasshoppers walk on the treadmill with various speeds from 0.1 to 1.5 m/s. (3) Results: Stance duty factor was measured as 70–95% and decreased as walking speed increased. As the walking speed increased, the number of contact legs decreased, and diagonal arrangement of contact was observed at walking speed of 1.1 cm/s. (4) Conclusions: This pilot study of gait analysis of grasshoppers using the custom-designed motorized insect treadmill with the optical recording system demonstrates the feasibility of quantitative, repeatable, and real-time insect gait analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Barreto
- Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Ahnsei Shon
- Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (A.S.); (H.P.)
| | - Derrick Knox
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Hojun Song
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Hangue Park
- Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (A.S.); (H.P.)
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Jeonghee Kim
- Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
- Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (A.S.); (H.P.)
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhao L, Wang H, Li P, Sun K, Guan DL, Xu SQ. Genome Size Estimation and Full-Length Transcriptome of Sphingonotus tsinlingensis: Genetic Background of a Drought-Adapted Grasshopper. Front Genet 2021; 12:678625. [PMID: 34322153 PMCID: PMC8313316 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.678625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingonotus Fieber, 1852 (Orthoptera: Acrididae), is a grasshopper genus comprising approximately 170 species, all of which prefer dry environments such as deserts, steppes, and stony benchlands. In this study, we aimed to examine the adaptation of grasshopper species to arid environments. The genome size of Sphingonotus tsinlingensis was estimated using flow cytometry, and the first high-quality full-length transcriptome of this species was produced. The genome size of S. tsinlingensis is approximately 12.8 Gb. Based on 146.98 Gb of PacBio sequencing data, 221.47 Mb full-length transcripts were assembled. Among these, 88,693 non-redundant isoforms were identified with an N50 value of 2,726 bp, which was markedly longer than previous grasshopper transcriptome assemblies. In total, 48,502 protein-coding sequences were identified, and 37,569 were annotated using public gene function databases. Moreover, 36,488 simple tandem repeats, 12,765 long non-coding RNAs, and 414 transcription factors were identified. According to gene functions, 61 cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and 66 heat shock protein (HSP) genes, which may be associated with drought adaptation of S. tsinlingensis, were identified. We compared the transcriptomes of S. tsinlingensis and two other grasshopper species which were less tolerant to drought, namely Mongolotettix japonicus and Gomphocerus licenti. We observed the expression of CYP450 and HSP genes in S. tsinlingensis were higher. We produced the first full-length transcriptome of a Sphingonotus species that has an ultra-large genome. The assembly characteristics were better than those of all known grasshopper transcriptomes. This full-length transcriptome may thus be used to understand the genetic background and evolution of grasshoppers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hang Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ping Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kuo Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - De-Long Guan
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Sheng-Quan Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Trisos MO, Parr CL, Davies AB, Leitner M, February EC. Mammalian herbivore movement into drought refugia has cascading effects on savanna insect communities. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:1753-1763. [PMID: 33844850 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Global climate change is predicted to increase the frequency of droughts, with major impacts on tropical savannas. It has been suggested that during drought, increased soil moisture and nutrients on termite mounds could benefit plants but it is unclear how such benefits could cascade to affect insect communities. Here, we describe the effects of drought on vegetation structure, the cascading implications for invertebrates and how termite mounds influence such effects. We compared how changes in grass biomass affected grasshopper and ant diversity on and off Macrotermes mounds before (2012) and during a drought (2016) at two locations that experienced large variation in drought severity (Skukuza and Pretoriuskop) in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. The 2013-2016 drought was not ubiquitous across the study site, with rainfall decreasing at Skukuza and being above average at Pretoriuskop. However, grass biomass declined at both locations. Grasshopper abundance decreased at droughted Skukuza both on and off mounds but decreased on mounds and increased off mounds at non-droughted Pretoriuskop. Ant abundance and species richness increased at Skukuza but remained the same on mounds and decreased off mounds at Pretoriuskop. Our results demonstrate the spatially extensive effects of drought. Despite above average rainfall in 2016 at Pretoriuskop, grass biomass decreased, likely due to an influx of large mammalian herbivores from drought-affected areas. This decrease in grass biomass cascaded to affect grasshoppers and ants, further illustrating the effects of drought on invertebrates in adjoining areas with higher rainfall. Our grasshopper results also suggest that increased drought in savannas will contribute to overall declines in insect abundance. Moreover, our recorded increase in ant abundance was primarily in the form of increases in dominant species, illustrating how drought-induced shifts in relative abundance will likely influence ecosystem structure and function. Our study highlights the phenomenon of spill-over drought effects and suggests rather than mitigating drought, termite mounds can instead become the focus for more intense grazing, with important consequences for insect communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew O Trisos
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine L Parr
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.,Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits, South Africa
| | - Andrew B Davies
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Monica Leitner
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Edmund C February
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Laiolo P, Pato J, Illera JC, Obeso JR. Selection for functional performance in the evolution of cuticle hardening mechanisms in insects. Evolution 2021; 75:1132-1142. [PMID: 33634481 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Calcified tissues have repeatedly evolved in many animal lineages and show a tremendous diversity of forms and functions. The cuticle of many insects is enriched with elements other than Calcium, a strategy of hardening that is taxonomically widespread but apparently poorly variable among clades. Here, we investigate the evolutionary potential of the enrichment with metals in insect cuticle at different biological levels. We combined experimental evidence of Zinc content variation in the mandibles of a target species (Chorthippus cazurroi [Bolívar]) with phylogenetic comparative analyses among grasshopper species. We found that mandibular Zinc content was repeatable among related individuals and was associated with an indicator of fitness, so there was potential for adaptive variation. Among species, Zinc enrichment evolved as a consequence of environmental and dietary influences on the physical function of the jaw (cutting and chewing), suggesting a role of natural selection in environmental fit. However, there were also important within and transgenerational environmental sources of similarity among individuals. These environmental influences, along with the tight relationship with biomechanics, may limit the potential for diversification of this hardening mechanism. This work provides novel insights into the diversification of biological structures and the link between evolutionary capacity and intra- and interspecific variation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Laiolo
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO, CSIC, PA), Oviedo University, Mieres, 33600, Spain
| | - Joaquina Pato
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO, CSIC, PA), Oviedo University, Mieres, 33600, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Illera
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO, CSIC, PA), Oviedo University, Mieres, 33600, Spain
| | - José Ramón Obeso
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO, CSIC, PA), Oviedo University, Mieres, 33600, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
The present study deals with the taxonomical analysis of the edible insects commercialized in the state of Morelos, Mexico. We have recorded two species under the order Orthoptera and four species under Hemiptera-Heteroptera. Our work revealed that grasshoppers and small hemipterans known as 'jumiles' are the two main insects sold in the markets of the state of Morelos. We also discuss insects' prices and their economic importance for the livelihood improvement of the local people connected to the edible insect trade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Pino Moreno
- Zoology Department, Entomology Laboratory, Biology Institute, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, CDMX, México
| | - Humberto Reyes-Prado
- Chemical Ecology Laboratory, ESS Jicarero-Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos. Jojutla de Juárez, Morelos, México
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ramírez‐Delgado VH, Cueva del Castillo R. Background matching, disruptive coloration, and differential use of microhabitats in two neotropical grasshoppers with sexual dichromatism. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:1401-1412. [PMID: 32076523 PMCID: PMC7029073 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptic coloration is an adaptative defensive mechanism against predators. Color patterns can become cryptic through background coloration-matching and disruptive coloration. Disruptive coloration may evolve in visually heterogeneous microhabitats, whereas background matching could be favored in chromatically homogeneous microhabitats. In this work, we used digital photography to explore the potential use of disruptive coloration and background matching in males and females of two grasshopper species of the Sphenarium genus in different habitats. We found chromatic differences in the two grasshopper species that may be explained by local adaptation. We also found that the females and males of both species are dichromatic and seem to follow different color cryptic strategies, males are more disruptive than females, whereas females have a high background matching with less disruptive elements. The selective pressures of the predators in different microhabitats and the differences in mobility between sexes may explain the color pattern divergence between females and males. Nevertheless, more field experiments are needed in order to understand the relative importance of disruptive and background matching coloration in the evolution of sexual dichromatism in these grasshoppers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Hugo Ramírez‐Delgado
- Posgrado en Ciencias BiológicasUnidad de Posgrado, Coordinación del Posgrado en Ciencias BiológicasUNAMCoyoacánMéxico
- Lab. de EcologíaUBIPROFacultad de Estudios Superiores IztacalaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoTlalnepantlaMéxico
| | - Raúl Cueva del Castillo
- Lab. de EcologíaUBIPROFacultad de Estudios Superiores IztacalaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoTlalnepantlaMéxico
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Adu-Acheampong S, Samways MJ. Feeding and Mobility Traits Influence Grasshopper Vulnerability to Agricultural Production in the Cape Floristic Region Biodiversity Hotspot. Neotrop Entomol 2019; 48:992-1000. [PMID: 31104208 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-019-00697-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To be able to foretell which species will be at risk of extinction from possible expansion of agriculture into natural areas, we need to determine how land use affects animal groups especially insects with different life history traits. Intuitively, we can predict that the proportion of specialist versus generalist grasshoppers and widespread versus localised species can be an indicator of change in vegetation patterns in a landscape. As a result, the study examined the relationship between the extent of range distribution and mobility of grasshoppers and land-use type in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) biodiversity hotspot. It aimed at examining grasshopper assemblage composition in association with different land uses. We specifically related the number and type of sites occupied by grasshopper species to their mobility and distribution type to find out which characters improve species survival under highly modified habitats. Grasshopper assemblages were dominated by highly mobile generalists that tolerated transformed landscapes, and mostly geographically widespread. This contrasts with the low- to medium-mobile, range-restricted specialists, which make up close to 30% of the total collection, with a lower tolerance for anthropogenically modified landscapes in the CFR. This study also reveal that the fynbos biome is an important habitat for low-mobility and range-restricted species, and hence require conscious conservation efforts to conserve such species to prevent possible future biotic erosion and homogenisation in this hotspot. This result can be used to assess the possible extent of biotic erosion or otherwise in order to recommend better conservation efforts in the CFR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Adu-Acheampong
- Dept of Agronomy, Univ for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Tamale, Ghana.
- Dept of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch Univ, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - M J Samways
- Dept of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch Univ, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Shi WP, Wang XY, Yin Y, Zhang YX, Rizvi UEH, Tan SQ, Cao C, Yu HY, Ji R. Dynamics of Aboveground Natural Enemies of Grasshoppers, and Biodiversity after Application of Paranosema locustae in Rangeland. Insects 2019; 10:insects10080224. [PMID: 31357474 PMCID: PMC6723704 DOI: 10.3390/insects10080224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Substantial harm to ecosystems from the use of chemical pesticides has led to an increasing interest in the use of biopesticides to control grasshoppers in rangelands, including China. One such potential biopesticide for control of grasshoppers is the fungus Paranosema locustae. In this study, the dynamics of aboveground natural enemies of grasshoppers and arthropod diversity 0-9 years after application of P. locustae were investigated in rangeland in Qinghai Plateau, China. We found that the number of species and of individuals of aboveground natural enemies increased by 17-250% and 40-126%, respectively, after spraying P. locustae, and that the main natural enemies showed three peaks after treatment. The conventional indices of species diversity (H') and evenness (J') increased by 11-267% and 13-171%, respectively, after treatment with P. locustae. The results showed the positive effects of P. locustae on aboveground natural enemies and biodiversity in an arthropod community in Chinese rangeland. Paranosema locustae is thought to be a safe biological control agent for grasshopper management in Northwestern China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Peng Shi
- College of Life Science, International Cooperative Research Centre for Cross-border Pest Management in Central Asia, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830054, China.
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Xiao-Yu Wang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yue Yin
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yu-Xing Zhang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Um-E-Hani Rizvi
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shu-Qian Tan
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chuan Cao
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hong-Yan Yu
- Qinghai Rangeland Work Station, Xining 810008, China
| | - Rong Ji
- College of Life Science, International Cooperative Research Centre for Cross-border Pest Management in Central Asia, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830054, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sylvain ZA, Espeland EK, Rand TA, West NM, Branson DH. Oilfield Reclamation Recovers Productivity but not Composition of Arthropod Herbivores and Predators. Environ Entomol 2019; 48:299-308. [PMID: 30785610 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvz012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Arthropods are key components of grassland ecosystems. Though arthropod communities are often strongly influenced by plant communities, plants and arthropods may respond differently to disturbance. Studying plant responses alone may, therefore, not fully capture altered ecosystem dynamics; thus multi-trophic approaches are critical to fully understand ecosystem responses to disturbance. Energy development is a large-scale driver of disturbance in northern Great Plains rangelands, and recovery of arthropod communities following reclamation is not well understood. We sampled Orthoptera and spiders in western North Dakota, United States, in 2016. Samples were collected from 14 reclaimed oil well sites ('reclaims') 2-33 yr since reclamation, and native prairie at two distances (50 and 150 m) from reclaim edges. Overall Orthopteran and spider abundances on reclaims and native prairie did not differ; however, Orthopteran community composition and species abundances were distinct on reclaims versus native prairie, including increased abundances of Melanoplus femurrubrum (De Geer) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) (a noted crop pest) on reclaims. In contrast, NMS analyses revealed no differences in spider community composition between reclaims and native prairie, although abundances of one group (Salticidae) strongly decreased on reclaims. We present one of the first studies to investigate impacts of energy development and reclamation on arthropod communities. While reclamation efforts successfully recovered abundances and biomass of arthropod herbivores and predators, Orthopteran (but not spider) community composition on reclaims has not recovered to match that of intact prairie even 30 yr after reclamation. These findings suggest that energy development may have long-term or potentially irreversible impacts to rangeland arthropod communities.
Collapse
|
15
|
Schirmel J, Gerlach R, Buhk C. Disentangling the role of management, vegetation structure, and plant quality for Orthoptera in lowland meadows. Insect Sci 2019; 26:366-378. [PMID: 28815886 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Seminatural grasslands provide habitats for various species and are important for biodiversity conservation. The understanding of the diverse responses of species and traits to different grassland management methods is therefore urgently needed. We disentangled the role of grassland management (fertilization and irrigation), vegetation structure (biomass, sward height) and plant quality (protein and fiber content) for Orthoptera communities in lowland hay meadows in Germany. We found vegetation structure to be the most important environmental category in explaining community structure of Orthoptera (species richness, total individuals, functional diversity and species composition). Intensively used meadows (fertilized, irrigated, high plant biomass) were characterized by assemblages with few species, low functional diversity, and low conservation value. Thereby, the relatively moderate fertilizer inputs in our study system of up to ∼75 kg N/ha/year reduced functional diversity of Orthoptera, while this negative effect of fertilization was not detectable when solely considering taxonomic aspects. We found strong support for a prominent role of plant quality in shaping Orthoptera communities and especially the trait composition. Our findings demonstrate the usefulness of considering both taxonomic and functional components (functional diversity) in biodiversity research and we suggest a stronger involvement of plant quality measures in Orthoptera studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Schirmel
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Rebekka Gerlach
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Constanze Buhk
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Abstract
In the last 40 years, the number of species in the orthopteroid orders has increased by ~10% from that known in 1979. The largest order, the Orthoptera, has increased from 205 to 235 species known in Canada. The number of Blattodea has increased from 14 to 18 species, while Dermaptera has increased from 5 to 6 species. The number of species of Mantodea (3) and Phasmida (1) known in Canada have remained unchanged. Most new species records reported in Canada since 1979 have resulted from new collections along the periphery of the range of more widespread species. Some species reported since 1979 are recent introductions to Canada, including species restricted to homes or other heated buildings. The taxonomy of these orders has also changed, with only the Dermaptera having maintained its order definition since the 1979 treatment. Additional orthopteroid species are likely to occur in Canada, particularly in the orders Orthoptera and Blattodea. DNA barcodes are available for more than 60% of the species known to occur in Canada.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Miskelly
- Royal British Columbia Museum, 675 Belleville St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 9W2, CanadaRoyal British Columbia MuseumVictoriaCanada
| | - Steven M. Paiero
- School of Environmental Sciences, 50 Stone Rd. East, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, CanadaUniversity of GuelphGuelphCanada
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Li XD, Jiang GF, Yan LY, Li R, Mu Y, Deng WA. Positive Selection Drove the Adaptation of Mitochondrial Genes to the Demands of Flight and High-Altitude Environments in Grasshoppers. Front Genet 2018; 9:605. [PMID: 30568672 PMCID: PMC6290170 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular evolution of mitochondrial genes responds to changes in energy requirements and to high altitude adaptation in animals, but this has not been fully explored in invertebrates. The evolution of atmospheric oxygen content from high to low necessarily affects the energy requirements of insect movement. We examined 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs) of grasshoppers to test whether the adaptive evolution of genes involved in energy metabolism occurs in changes in atmospheric oxygen content and high altitude adaptation. Our molecular evolutionary analysis of the 13 PCGs in 15 species of flying grasshoppers and 13 related flightless grasshoppers indicated that, similar to previous studies, flightless grasshoppers have experienced relaxed selection. We found evidence of significant positive selection in the genes ATP8, COX3, ND2, ND4, ND4L, ND5, and ND6 in flying lineages. This results suggested that episodic positive selection allowed the mitochondrial genes of flying grasshoppers to adapt to increased energy demands during the continuous reduction of atmospheric oxygen content. Our analysis of five grasshopper endemic to the Tibetan Plateau and 13 non-Tibetan grasshoppers indicated that, due to positive selection, more non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions accumulated in Tibetan grasshoppers than in non-Tibetan grasshoppers. We also found evidence for significant positive selection in the genes ATP6, ND2, ND3, ND4, and ND5 in Tibetan lineages. Our results thus strongly suggest that, in grasshoppers, positive selection drives mitochondrial genes to better adapt both to the energy requirements of flight and to the high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dong Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
- School of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Hechi University, Yizhou, China
| | - Guo-Fang Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
- College of Oceanology and Food Sciences, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Li-Yun Yan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ran Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Mu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei-An Deng
- School of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Hechi University, Yizhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Yıldırım Y, Tinnert J, Forsman A. Contrasting patterns of neutral and functional genetic diversity in stable and disturbed environments. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:12073-12089. [PMID: 30598801 PMCID: PMC6303714 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic structure among and diversity within natural populations is influenced by a combination of ecological and evolutionary processes. These processes can differently influence neutral and functional genetic diversity and also vary according to environmental settings. To investigate the roles of interacting processes as drivers of population-level genetic diversity in the wild, we compared neutral and functional structure and diversity between 20 Tetrix undulata pygmy grasshopper populations in disturbed and stable habitats. Genetic differentiation was evident among the different populations, but there was no genetic separation between stable and disturbed environments. The incidence of long-winged phenotypes was higher in disturbed habitats, indicating that these populations were recently established by flight-capable colonizers. Color morph diversity and dispersion of outlier genetic diversity, estimated using AFLP markers, were higher in disturbed than in stable environments, likely reflecting that color polymorphism and variation in other functionally important traits increase establishment success. Neutral genetic diversity estimated using AFLP markers was lower in disturbed habitats, indicating stronger eroding effects on neutral diversity of genetic drift associated with founding events in disturbed compared to stable habitats. Functional diversity and neutral diversity were negatively correlated across populations, highlighting the utility of outlier loci in genetics studies and reinforcing that estimates of genetic diversity based on neutral markers do not infer evolutionary potential and the ability of populations and species to cope with environmental change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeşerin Yıldırım
- Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model SystemsEEMISDepartment of Biology and Environmental ScienceLinnaeus UniversityKalmarSweden
| | - Jon Tinnert
- Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model SystemsEEMISDepartment of Biology and Environmental ScienceLinnaeus UniversityKalmarSweden
| | - Anders Forsman
- Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model SystemsEEMISDepartment of Biology and Environmental ScienceLinnaeus UniversityKalmarSweden
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Jetybayev IY, Bugrov AG, Dzuybenko VV, Rubtsov NB. B Chromosomes in Grasshoppers: Different Origins and Pathways to the Modern B s. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9100509. [PMID: 30340429 PMCID: PMC6209997 DOI: 10.3390/genes9100509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
B chromosomes (Bs) were described in most taxa of eukaryotes and in around 11.9% of studied Orthopteran species. In some grasshopper species, their evolution has led to many B chromosome morphotypes. We studied the Bs in nine species (Nocaracris tardus, Nocaracris cyanipes, Aeropus sibiricus, Chorthippus jacobsoni, Chorthippus apricarius, Bryodema gebleri, Asiotmethis heptapotamicus songoricus, Podisma sapporensis, and Eyprepocnemis plorans), analyzing their possible origin and further development. The studied Bs consisted of C-positive or C-positive and C-negative regions. Analyzing new data and considering current hypotheses, we suggest that Bs in grasshoppers could arise through different mechanisms and from different chromosomes of the main set. We gave our special attention to the Bs with C-negative regions and suggest a new hypothesis of B chromosome formation from large or medium autosomes. This hypothesis includes dissemination of repetitive sequences and development of intercalary heterochromatic blocks in euchromatic chromosome arm followed by deletion of euchromatic regions located between them. The hypothesis is based on the findings of the Eyprepocnemis plorans specimens with autosome containing numerous intercalary repeat clusters, analysis of C-positive Bs in Eyprepocnemis plorans and Podisma sapporensis containing intercalary and terminal C-negative regions, and development of heterochromatic neo-Y chromosome in some Pamphagidae grasshoppers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilyas Yerkinovich Jetybayev
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Lavrentjev Ave., 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Frunze str. 11, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Alexander Gennadievich Bugrov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Frunze str. 11, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Novosibirsk State University, Pirogov str., 2, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | | | - Nikolay Borisovich Rubtsov
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Lavrentjev Ave., 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Novosibirsk State University, Pirogov str., 2, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Jetybayev IY, Bugrov AG, Buleu OG, Bogomolov AG, Rubtsov NB. Origin and Evolution of the Neo-Sex Chromosomes in Pamphagidae Grasshoppers through Chromosome Fusion and Following Heteromorphization. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8110323. [PMID: 29137168 PMCID: PMC5704236 DOI: 10.3390/genes8110323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In most phylogenetic lineages, the evolution of sex chromosomes is accompanied by their heteromorphization and degradation of one of them. The neo-sex chromosomes are useful model for studying early stages of these processes. Recently two lineages of the neo-sex chromosomes on different stages of heteromorphization was discovered in Pamphagidae family. The neo-sex chromosome heteromorphization was analyzed by generation of DNA probes derived from the neo-Xs and neo-Ys followed with chromosome painting in nineteen species of Pamphagidae family. The homologous regions of the neo-sex chromosomes were determined in closely related species with the painting procedure and image analysis with application of the Visualization of the Specific Signal in Silico software package. Results of these analyses and distribution of C-positive regions in the neo-sex chromosomes revealed details of the heteromorphization of the neo-sex chromosomes in species from both phylogenetic lineages of Pamphagidae grasshoppers. The hypothetical mechanism of the neo-Y degradation was suggested. It includes expansion of different repeats from the proximal neo-Y chromosome region by inversions, spreading them towards distal region. Amplification of these repeats leads to formation of C-positive regions and elimination of the C-negative regions located between them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilyas Yerkinovich Jetybayev
- The Federal Research Center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Lavrentjev Ave., 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Frunze str. 11, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Alexander Gennadievich Bugrov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Frunze str. 11, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Novosibirsk State University, Department of Natural Sciences, Pirogov str., 2, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Olesya Georgievna Buleu
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Frunze str. 11, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Novosibirsk State University, Department of Natural Sciences, Pirogov str., 2, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Anton Gennadievich Bogomolov
- The Federal Research Center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Lavrentjev Ave., 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Novosibirsk State University, Department of Natural Sciences, Pirogov str., 2, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Nikolay Borisovich Rubtsov
- The Federal Research Center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Lavrentjev Ave., 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Novosibirsk State University, Department of Natural Sciences, Pirogov str., 2, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Pelizza SA, Mariottini Y, Russo LM, Vianna MF, Scorsetti AC, Lange CE. Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) Introduced as an Endophyte in Corn Plants and Its Effects on Consumption, Reproductive Capacity, and Food Preference of Dichroplus maculipennis (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae). J Insect Sci 2017; 17:3114325. [PMID: 28423416 PMCID: PMC5416762 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iex024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the effects of strain Beauveria bassiana (LPSC 1067) as an endophyte in corn plants on consumption, fecundity, and food preference of Dichroplus maculipennis were examined. We observed that the daily consumption by grasshoppers fed with control plants was almost twice that of those that were fed treated plants. Significant differences in fecundity of grasshoppers that were fed with treated plants compared with those that only fed on control plants were also observed. The number of eggs laid per female fed with control plants was 27.2, while the number of eggs laid per female that were fed during 15 d with treated plants was 17.7. Similar results were observed when the number of embryonated eggs was evaluated. The highest number of embryonated eggs were recorded in those females that only fed on control plants (96%) while fewer embryonated eggs were recorded in grasshoppers fed for 15 d with treated plants only (25%). In relation to food preference the average consumption rate for D. maculipennis females on control corn plants was 303.8 ± 24.5 mg while it was only 25 ± 2.1 mg on plants treated with B. bassiana as an endophyte. In summary, we observed that B. bassiana as a corn plant endophyte negatively affected the daily consumption rate, fecundity and food preference of D. maculipennis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian A Pelizza
- Instituto de Botánica Carlos Spegazzini (FCNyM-UNLP), Calle 53 # 477, La Plata 1900, Argentina ( ; ; ; ; ; )
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE), CCT La Plata-CONICET-UNLP, Blvd. 120 S/N e/61 y 62, La Plata 1900, Argentina
| | - Yanina Mariottini
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Ecosistemas y Desarrollo Sustentable (UNICEN), Paraje Arroyo Seco S/N, Tandil 7000, Argentina
| | - Leticia M Russo
- Instituto de Botánica Carlos Spegazzini (FCNyM-UNLP), Calle 53 # 477, La Plata 1900, Argentina (; ; ; ; ; )
| | - M Florencia Vianna
- Instituto de Botánica Carlos Spegazzini (FCNyM-UNLP), Calle 53 # 477, La Plata 1900, Argentina (; ; ; ; ; )
| | - Ana C Scorsetti
- Instituto de Botánica Carlos Spegazzini (FCNyM-UNLP), Calle 53 # 477, La Plata 1900, Argentina (; ; ; ; ; )
| | - Carlos E Lange
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE), CCT La Plata-CONICET-UNLP, Blvd. 120 S/N e/61 y 62, La Plata 1900, Argentina
- Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CICPBA)
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Fournier B, Mouly A, Gillet F. Multiple Assembly Rules Drive the Co-occurrence of Orthopteran and Plant Species in Grasslands: Combining Network, Functional and Phylogenetic Approaches. Front Plant Sci 2016; 7:1224. [PMID: 27582754 PMCID: PMC4987333 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the factors underlying the co-occurrence of multiple species remains a challenge in ecology. Biotic interactions, environmental filtering and neutral processes are among the main mechanisms evoked to explain species co-occurrence. However, they are most often studied separately or even considered as mutually exclusive. This likely hampers a more global understanding of species assembly. Here, we investigate the general hypothesis that the structure of co-occurrence networks results from multiple assembly rules and its potential implications for grassland ecosystems. We surveyed orthopteran and plant communities in 48 permanent grasslands of the French Jura Mountains and gathered functional and phylogenetic data for all species. We constructed a network of plant and orthopteran species co-occurrences and verified whether its structure was modular or nested. We investigated the role of all species in the structure of the network (modularity and nestedness). We also investigated the assembly rules driving the structure of the plant-orthopteran co-occurrence network by using null models on species functional traits, phylogenetic relatedness and environmental conditions. We finally compared our results to abundance-based approaches. We found that the plant-orthopteran co-occurrence network had a modular organization. Community assembly rules differed among modules for plants while interactions with plants best explained the distribution of orthopterans into modules. Few species had a disproportionately high positive contribution to this modular organization and are likely to have a key importance to modulate future changes. The impact of agricultural practices was restricted to some modules (3 out of 5) suggesting that shifts in agricultural practices might not impact the entire plant-orthopteran co-occurrence network. These findings support our hypothesis that multiple assembly rules drive the modular structure of the plant-orthopteran network. This modular structure is likely to play a key role in the response of grassland ecosystems to future changes by limiting the impact of changes in agricultural practices such as intensification to some modules leaving species from other modules poorly impacted. The next step is to understand the importance of this modular structure for the long-term maintenance of grassland ecosystem structure and functions as well as to develop tools to integrate network structure into models to improve their capacity to predict future changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bertrand Fournier
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, BesançonFrance
| | - Arnaud Mouly
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, BesançonFrance
- Jardin botanique de la ville de Besançon et de l’Université de Franche-Comté, BesançonFrance
| | - François Gillet
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, BesançonFrance
- Ecological Systems Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, LausanneSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hahn PG, Orrock JL. Land-use history alters contemporary insect herbivore community composition and decouples plant-herbivore relationships. J Anim Ecol 2014; 84:745-754. [PMID: 25418320 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Past land use can create altered soil conditions and plant communities that persist for decades, although the effects of these altered conditions on consumers are rarely investigated. Using a large-scale field study at 36 sites in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) woodlands, we examined whether historic agricultural land use leads to differences in the abundance and community composition of insect herbivores (grasshoppers, families Acrididae and Tettigoniidae). We measured the cover of six plant functional groups and several environmental variables to determine whether historic agricultural land use affects the relationships between plant cover or environmental conditions and grasshopper assemblages. Land-use history had taxa-specific effects and interacted with herbaceous plant cover to alter grasshopper abundances, leading to significant changes in community composition. Abundance of most grasshopper taxa increased with herbaceous cover in woodlands with no history of agriculture, but there was no relationship in post-agricultural woodlands. We also found that grasshopper abundance was negatively correlated with leaf litter cover. Soil hardness was greater in post-agricultural sites (i.e. more compacted) and was associated with grasshopper community composition. Both herbaceous cover and leaf litter cover are influenced by fire frequency, suggesting a potential indirect role of fire on grasshopper assemblages. Our results demonstrate that historic land use may create persistent differences in the composition of grasshopper assemblages, while contemporary disturbances (e.g. prescribed fire) may be important for determining the abundance of grasshoppers, largely through the effect of fire on plants and leaf litter. Therefore, our results suggest that changes in the contemporary management regimes (e.g. increasing prescribed fire) may not be sufficient to shift the structure of grasshopper communities in post-agricultural sites towards communities in non-agricultural habitats. Rather, repairing degraded soil conditions and restoring plant communities are likely necessary for restoring grasshopper assemblages in post-agricultural woodlands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip G Hahn
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - John L Orrock
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Avanesyan A. Plant DNA detection from grasshopper guts: A step-by-step protocol, from tissue preparation to obtaining plant DNA sequences. Appl Plant Sci 2014; 2:apps1300082. [PMID: 25202604 PMCID: PMC4103608 DOI: 10.3732/apps.1300082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE OF THE STUDY A PCR-based method of identifying ingested plant DNA in gut contents of Melanoplus grasshoppers was developed. Although previous investigations have focused on a variety of insects, there are no protocols available for plant DNA detection developed for grasshoppers, agricultural pests that significantly influence plant community composition. • METHODS AND RESULTS The developed protocol successfully used the noncoding region of the chloroplast trnL (UAA) gene and was tested in several feeding experiments. Plant DNA was obtained at seven time points post-ingestion from whole guts and separate gut sections, and was detectable up to 12 h post-ingestion in nymphs and 22 h post-ingestion in adult grasshoppers. • CONCLUSIONS The proposed protocol is an effective, relatively quick, and low-cost method of detecting plant DNA from the grasshopper gut and its different sections. This has important applications, from exploring plant "movement" during food consumption, to detecting plant-insect interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alina Avanesyan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 614 Rieveschl Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0006 USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Anjos A, Loreto V, de Souza MJ. Chromosome mapping of ribosomal genes and histone H4 in the genus Radacridium (Romaleidae). Genet Mol Biol 2013; 36:336-40. [PMID: 24130439 PMCID: PMC3795169 DOI: 10.1590/s1415-47572013005000026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, two species of Romaleidae grasshoppers, Radacridium mariajoseae and R.nordestinum, were analyzed after CMA3/DA/DAPI sequential staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to determine the location of the 18S and 5S rDNA and histone H4 genes. Both species presented karyotypes composed of 2n = 23, X0 with exclusively acrocentric chromosomes. CMA3+ blocks were detected after CMA3/DA/DAPI staining in only one medium size autosome bivalent and in the X chromosome in R. mariajoseae. On the other hand, all chromosomes, except the L1 bivalent, of R. nordestinum presented CMA3+ blocks. FISH analysis showed that the 18S genes are restricted to the X chromosome in R. mariajoseae, whereas these genes were located in the L2, S9 and S10 autosomes in R. nordestinum. In R. mariajoseae, the 5S rDNA sites were localized in the in L1 and L2 bivalents and in the X chromosome. In R. nordestinum, the 5S genes were located in the L2, L3, M4 and M5 pairs. In both species the histone H4 genes were present in a medium size bivalent. Together, these data evidence a great variability of chromosome markers and show that the 18S and 5S ribosomal genes are dispersed in the Radacridium genome without a significant correlation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison Anjos
- Departamento de Genética, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Buchholz S, Rolfsmeyer D, Schirmel J. Simulating small-scale climate change effects-lessons from a short-term field manipulation experiment on grassland arthropods. Insect Sci 2013; 20:662-670. [PMID: 23956202 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2012.01556.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is expected to cause major consequences on biodiversity. Understanding species-specific reactions, such as species shifts, species declines, and changes in population dynamics is a key issue to quantify large-scale impacts of climate change on biotic communities. As it is often impossible or at least impracticable to conduct large-scale experiments on biotic responses to climate change, studies at a smaller scale may be a useful alternative. In our study, we therefore tested responses of grassland arthropods (carabid beetles, spiders, grasshoppers) to simulated climate change in terms of species activity densities and diversity. We conducted a controlled field experiment by changing water and microclimatic conditions at a small scale (16 m(2) ). Roof constructions were used to increase drought-like conditions, whereas water supply was enhanced by irrigation. In all, 2 038 carabid beetles (36 species), 4 893 spiders (65 species), and 303 Orthoptera (4 species) were caught using pitfall traps from May to August, 2010. During our experiment, we created an artificial small-scale climate change; and statistics revealed that these changes had short-term effects on the total number of individuals and Simpson diversity of the studied arthropod groups. Moreover, our results showed that certain species might react very quickly to climate change in terms of activity densities, which in turn might influence diversity due to shifts in abundance patterns. Finally, we devised methodological improvements that may further enhance the validity of future studies.
Collapse
|
27
|
Jaronski ST. Mycosis inhibits cannibalism by Melanoplus sanguinipes, M. differentialis, Schistocerca americana, and Anabrus simplex. J Insect Sci 2013; 13:122. [PMID: 24786183 PMCID: PMC4014035 DOI: 10.1673/031.013.12201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2010] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Cannibalism is common among the Acrididae and the Mormon cricket, Anabrus simplex Haldeman (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). This behavior has been proposed as a mechanism for the horizontal transmission of Microsporida and entomopathogenic fungi. Aanecdotal observations suggested that the migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes Fabricius (Acrididae), and A. simplex did not eat cadavers that had been killed by insect pathogenic fungi. The hypothesis tested was that A. simplex or M. sanguinipes would not cannibalize individuals freshly killed by the entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana Bals.-Criv. (Vuill.) (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), or Metarhizium acridum (Driver and Milner) Bischoff, Rehner, and Humber. Cannibalism was examined in a series of no-choice tests with individual insects. Test insects included healthy adults of M. sanguinipes; the differential grasshopper, M. differentialis (Thomas); the American grasshopper, Schistocerca americana (Drury) (Acrididae); and A. simplex. Individual, starved Acrididae or A. simplex were confined in small cages with either a fungus-killed (but unsporulated) or uninfected cadaver. The insects were then observed periodically for the first 4 hr. After 24 hr, the cadavers were scored for the degree to which they had been consumed. Very few mycotic cadavers were fed upon by the healthy insects, and, at most only the tarsi were eaten. All four species generally refused to eat fungus-infected cadavers. In contrast, freeze-killed cadavers were partly or entirely consumed by most of the test insects, often within a few hours. Transmission of infection through contact in these tests was between 0-18.9%, depending upon the fungus and insect species, and was lower than the prevalence of cannibalism in all cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan T Jaronski
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, 1500 N. Central Ave, Sidney, MT 59270
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Colombo PC. Micro-evolution in grasshoppers mediated by polymorphic Robertsonian translocations. J Insect Sci 2013; 13:43. [PMID: 23909914 PMCID: PMC3740932 DOI: 10.1673/031.013.4301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This review focuses on grasshoppers that are polymorphic for Robertsonian translocations because in these organisms the clarity of meiotic figures allows the study of both chiasma distribution and the orientation of trivalents and multivalents in metaphase I. Only five species of such grasshoppers were found in the literature, and all of them were from the New World: Oedaleonotus enigma (Scudder) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), Leptysma argentina Bruner, Dichroplus pratensis Bruner, Sinipta dalmani Stål, and Cornops aquaticum Bruner. A general feature of these species (except O. enigma) is that fusion carriers suffer a marked reduction of proximal and interstitial (with respect to the centromere) chiasma frequency; this fact, along with the reduction in the number of linkage groups with the consequent loss of independent segregation, produces a marked decrease of recombination in fusion carriers. This reduction in recombination has led to the conclusion that Robertsonian polymorphic grasshopper species share some properties with inversion polymorphic species of Drosophila, such as the central-marginal pattern (marginal populations are monomorphic, central populations are highly polymorphic). This pattern might be present in D. pratensis, which is certainly the most complex Robertsonian polymorphism system in the present study. However, L. argentina and C. aquaticum do not display this pattern. This issue is open to further research. Since C. aquaticum is soon to be released in South Africa as a biological control, the latitudinal pattern found in South America may repeat there. This experiment's outcome is open and deserves to be followed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo C Colombo
- Laboratorio de Genética, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1428 Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
Mutagenic and epigenetic effects of environmental stressors and their transgenerational consequences are of interest to evolutionary biologists because they can amplify natural genetic variation. We studied the effect of parental exposure to radioactive contamination on offspring development in lesser marsh grasshopper Chorthippus albomarginatus. We used a geometric morphometric approach to measure fluctuating asymmetry (FA), wing shape and wing size. We measured time to sexual maturity to check whether parental exposure to radiation influenced offspring developmental trajectory and tested effects of radiation on hatching success and parental fecundity. Wings were larger in early maturing individuals born to parents from high radiation sites compared to early maturing individuals from low radiation sites. As time to sexual maturity increased, wing size decreased but more sharply in individuals from high radiation sites. Radiation exposure did not significantly affect FA or shape in wings nor did it significantly affect hatching success and fecundity. Overall, parental radiation exposure can adversely affect offspring development and fitness depending on developmental trajectories although the cause of this effect remains unclear. We suggest more direct measures of fitness and the inclusion of replication in future studies to help further our understanding of the relationship between developmental instability, fitness and environmental stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D E Beasley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Beckerman AP, Uriarte M, Schmitz OJ. Experimental evidence for a behavior-mediated trophic cascade in a terrestrial food chain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1997; 94:10735-8. [PMID: 11038581 PMCID: PMC23467 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.94.20.10735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 250] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Predators of herbivorous animals can affect plant populations by altering herbivore density, behavior, or both. To test whether the indirect effect of predators on plants arises from density or behavioral responses in a herbivore population, we experimentally examined the dynamics of terrestrial food chains comprised of old field plants, leaf-chewing grasshoppers, and spider predators in Northeast Connecticut. To separate the effects of predators on herbivore density from the effects on herbivore behavior, we created two classes of spiders: (i) risk spiders that had their feeding mouth parts glued to render them incapable of killing prey and (ii) predator spiders that remained unmanipulated. We found that the effect of predators on plants resulted from predator-induced changes in herbivore behavior (shifts in activity time and diet selection) rather than from predator-induced changes in grasshopper density. Neither predator nor risk spiders had a significant effect on grasshopper density relative to a control. This demonstrates that the behavioral response of prey to predators can have a strong impact on the dynamics of terrestrial food chains. The results make a compelling case to examine behavioral as well as density effects in theoretical and empirical research on food chain dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A P Beckerman
- Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, 370 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|