Benjamín Jarčuška

Landscape configuration determines gene flow and phenotype in a flightless forest-edge ground-dwelling bush-cricket, Pholidoptera griseoaptera

Spatial configuration of habitats influences genetic structure and population fitness whereas it affects mainly species with limited dispersal ability. To reveal how habitat fragmentation determines dispersal and dispersal-related morphology in a ground-dispersing insect species we used a bush-cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera) which is associated with forest-edge habitat. We analysed spatial genetic patterns together with variability of the phenotype in two forested landscapes with different levels of fragmentation. While spatial configuration of forest habitats did not negatively affect genetic characteristics related to the fitness of sampled populations, genetic differentiation was found higher among populations from an extensive forest. Compared to an agricultural matrix between forest patches, the matrix of extensive forest had lower permeability and posed barriers for the dispersal of this species. Landscape configuration significantly affected also morphological traits that are supposed to account for species dispersal potential; individuals from fragmented forest patches had longer hind femurs and a higher femur to pronotum ratio. This result suggests that selection pressure act differently on populations from both landscape types since dispersal-related morphology was related to the level of habitat fragmentation. Thus observed patterns may be explained as plastic according to the level of landscape configuration; while anthropogenic fragmentation of habitats for this species can lead to homogenization of spatial genetic structure.

Female Bush-Crickets, Pholidoptera griseoaptera, that have Received Smaller Ejaculates Show a Higher Mating Rate in the Field

Females of numerous insect species are known to be polyandrous, but there have been relatively few studies of factors associated with the degree of polyandry in females in the field. Number of copulations by females is negatively associated with ejaculate size across bush-cricket species. Assessing intraspecific variability is important when looking for and interpreting trait evolution. Therefore the aim of this study was to test the association between ejaculate size (i.e. volume of spermatodose–spermatophore-like structure formed within the spermatheca) and mating rate (i.e. number of spermatodoses) of females of Pholidoptera griseoaptera, while accounting for female body size (pronotum length) and age (number of hind leg’s cuticular bands). The results based on field-caught individuals suggested that there were statistically significant negative association between smallest and mean spermatodose volume, respectively, and number of copulations in this nuptial gift-giving bush-cricket species. This is in accordance with interspecific associations between ejaculate size and polyandry. However, lower slope of the intraspecific relationship may suggest lower importance of the ejaculate size in explaining females’ mating rate variability in this nuptial gift-giving species.

NOTES ON ORTHOPTERA (INSECTA) ANd THEIR ASSEmblAgES IN THE ROmANIAN CARPATHIANS

Abstract The Carpathian Mountains, particularly the Eastern Carpathians, represent an area with a high diversity and endemism in grasshoppers and bush-crickets. The well-preserved mountain grassland habitats are populated by diverse orthopteran assemblages. During the second half of July 2013, we visited 24 sites in Romanian Carpathians within altitudes ranging from 237 to 1700 m a.s.l. and found 71 Orthoptera species (36 Ensifera and 35 Caelifera). These represent 37.3% of the 190 species known to occur in Romania. Nine Carpathian endemics (Isophya stysi, Pholidoptera frivaldskyi, Pholidoptera transsylvanica, Miramella ebneri, Pseudopodisma transilvanica, Isophya harzi, Isophya nagyi, Isophya sicula, Zubovskya banatica), of which the last four are endemic to Romania and Eastern Carpathians, were recorded. Four environmental characteristics, i.e. habitat type, altitude, mean temperature and precipitation on sampled sites, are used to examine the structure of orthopteran assemblages by using DCA. Also, more detailed information on the occurrence of rare and endemic species is given. Résumé Les Carpates, en particulier les Carpates Orientales, représentent une zone avec une grande diversité et endémisme chez les sauterelles et les grillons. Les habitats de prairie de montagne bien conservés sont peuplés par divers associations d’orthoptères. Au cours de la seconde moitié de Juillet 2013, nous avons visité 24 sites dans les Carpates roumains dans des altitudes variant de 237 à 1700 m et où 71 espèces orthoptères (36 Ensifera et 35 Caelifera) ont été trouvées. Celles-ci représentent 37,3% des 190 espèces connues en Roumanie. Neuf espèces endémiques des Carpates (Isophya stysi, Pholidoptera frivaldskyi, Pholidoptera transsylvanica, Miramella ebneri, Pseudopodisma transilvanica, Isophya harzi, Isophya nagyi, Isophya sicula, Zubovskya banatica) ont été rapportées, dont les quatre dernières sont endémiques de la Roumanie et des Carpates Orientales. Quatre caractéristiques environnementales, à savoir le type d’habitat, l’altitude, la température moyenne et les précipitations sur les sites échantillonnés, sont utilisées pour examiner la structure des associations d’orthoptères en utilisant DCA. Aussi, on donne des informations plus détaillées sur la présence d’espèces rares et endémiques. REZUMAT Munţii Carpaţi, în special Carpaţii Orientali, reprezintă o zonă cu un grad înalt de diversitate şi endemism pentru lăcuste şi cosaşi. Habitatele de fâneţe montane sunt bine conservate şi populate de asociaţii de ortoptere diversificate. În timpul celei de a doua jumătăţi a lunii iulie 2012, am vizitat 24 situri din Carpaţii Româneşti, cu altitudini cuprinse între 237 şi 1700 m și am colectat 71 specii de ortoptere (36 ensifere și 35 caelifere). Acestea reprezintă 37,3% din cele 190 de specii cunoscute din România. Au fost identificate nouă endemisme carpatice (Isophya stysi, Pholidoptera frivaldskyi, Pholidoptera transsylvanica, Miramella ebneri, Pseudopodisma transilvanica, Isophya harzi, Isophya nagyi, Isophya sicula, Zubovskya banatica), dintre care ultimele patru se găsesc numai în România. Structura asociațiilor de ortoptere a fost analizată folosind patru caracteristici de mediu: tipul de habitat, altitudinea, media temperaturilor și precipitațiilor anuale. De asemenea, au fost detaliate informaţiile despre prezența ortopterelor rare și endemice.

Distinctive male–female acoustic duetting supports the specific status of Isophya fatrensis, a West-Carpathian endemic bush-cricket (Insecta: Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae)

Abstract The present study provides the first detailed sound-analysis-based description of the male calling song and male–female duet of Isophya fatrensis Chládek, an endemic bush-cricket species known from Veľká Fatra, Kremnické vrchy, Nízke Tatry and Poľana Mountains in Slovak Western Carpathians. The male calling song consists of a long sequence of syllable groups, each composed of 2–10 syllables. Intersyllable interval tends to decrease within each syllable group. In response to the male calling song, females emit short acoustic replies during the intervals between the syllable-groups of the male song. Results of a generalized linear regression model calculated between male syllable duration and the relative timing of female response suggest that the beginning of the last syllable of the male syllable groups function as a marker for female response timing. The oscillographic pattern of male song is superficially similar to that of I. harzi, but the timing of female response is sharply different in the two species. These results confirm the validity of the specific status of Isophya fatrensis and can aid reliable identification of specimens.

Isolated populations of the bush-cricket Pholidoptera frivaldszkyi (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) in Russia suggest a disjunct area of the species distribution

Abstract Phylogenetic analysis and assessment of the species status of mostly isolated populations of Pholidoptera frivaldszkyi in south-western Russia occurring far beyond the accepted area of the species distribution in the Carpathian-Balkan region were performed. Using the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene fragment, we found a very low level of genetic diversity in these populations. Phylogeographic reconstruction did not support recent introduction events but rather historical range fragmentation. The grouping of the Russian and Romanian haplotypes in a distinct phylogenetic clade suggests that the pre-glacial range of P. frivaldszkyi had extended towards the Ponto-Caspian region, with considerable gene flow between different refugia. However, post-glacial northward expansion of the species from supposed Caucasus refugia contributed most likely to the current disjunct distribution of this relict-like bush-cricket.

Distribution and ecology of the flightless bush-cricket Poecilimon schmidtii at its northern range margin

Abstract The distributional patterns and ecology of the ponto-mediterranean species Poecilimon schmidtii were only insufficiently known until now, despite assumed to be one of the northernmost distributed species of the genus. Based on the review of all available published and own field data, we improved the distribution map of the species and recorded it for the first time from Poland. The distribution survey was carried at 1,208 sites in Slovakia, 39 sites in SE Poland and 26 sites in W Ukraine between 1994 and 2015. P. schmidtii was found at 59 sites and the habitat requirements were analysed. The results show a clear preference of the species for broadleaved forest ecotones with hazel and Rubus spp. shrubs being the main host plants. The species was present in grid cells with a lower mean altitude, a higher annual mean temperature and a lower annual precipitation compared to those available within the northern species’ range. Its altitudinal distribution was between 105 and 950 m a.s.l. Altogether, 70 Orthoptera and one mantid species were recorded and assemblages of Orthoptera and Mantodea were described for 49 sites with P. schmidtii in Slovakia and Poland. On average 18.9 ± 7.5 (SD) species were found per site, ranging from 7 to 37. Using detrended correspondence analysis it was not possible to distinguish between the orthopteran assemblages with and without (n = 94) P. schmidtii. In the assemblages, P. schmidtii was more often present with mountainous species.

Orthoptera of the peat bogs and wet mountain grasslands in Orava region (NW Slovakia)

Abstract: Peat bogs are habitats of European importance, but only few data exists on crickets and grasshoppers living in these habitats. Altogether 22 species of Orthoptera (6 Tettigonioidea, 2 Tetrigoidea and 14 Acrididoidea) were found in 16 selected localities, in peat bogs and wet mountain meadows in the Orava region in 2008–2011. Only 16 species were registered in peat bogs (4 Tettigonioidea, 2 Tetrigoidea and 10 Acrididoidea) and 18 species in wet mountain meadows. Number of species per site varied between 2 and 14 (mean 9.5). The euryoecious species Euthystira brachyptera (F=100% of sites), Metrioptera roeselii and Omocestus viridulus (both 93.8%), Chorthippus apricarius (87.5%) and Chorthippus parallelus (75%) were the most frequent species. Mountain species Miramella alpina and Metrioptera brachyptera are indicators of specific mountain bilberry meadows and pet bogs. In this extremely cold area we expected wing dimorphic individuals (macropterism) in some brachypterous species. The highest number of macropters was found in Chrysochraon dispar, especially in peat bogs ecotones of the Rudne Nature Reserve (26.8%). Occurrence, distribution and macropterism in some brachypterous species are commented..