Search Results (5)

This review first provides an overview of the functional diversity of Orthoptera-associated microbiota and the services they provide to their hosts. However, data are widely scattered across the different families studied, making it difficult to establish whether a core microbiota is present. The abundance of some genera (Pantoea, Enterococcus, Enterobacter, Acinetobacter) is associated with the degradation of cellulose compounds, although their clear contribution remains to be determined. In addition, P. agglomerans may play a role in the production of aggregation pheromones in the desert locust. In terms of gut compartmentalisation, the diversity of the bacterial community in the foregut appears to be highly variable between individuals and species, whereas it is more uniform in other parts of the gut. Metabolic pathways of the gut microbiota revealed differences in amino acid metabolism between the midgut and hindgut. Bacteria in the midgut are associated with amino acid synthesis and anaerobic metabolism, whereas pathways in the hindgut may be involved in amino acid catabolism and ace-tyl-CoA-mediated processes. Further research is needed to better understand these different components of the bacterial community in digestive processes, and to identify bacterial species of particular interest in explaining species’ lifestyles or for bioconversion. Full article

Biogeographically, Anatolia harbours a rich diversity of short-horned grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Caelifera). The number of species recorded from Anatolia so far stands at 300. They inhabit diverse habitats ranging from arid Eremial to Euro-Siberian-like montane meadows, aligning with the topographical and climatological heterogeneity of Anatolia. Alongside some swarming species, the pest potential of several pullulating species needs attention. This is especially important concerning global warming, a scenario expected to be more severe in the Northern Mediterranean Basin in general and Anatolia specifically. A faunal list of biogeographic Anatolia, the area extending from the Aegean Sea in the west to the intermountain basin of the Caucasus in the northeast, the lowlands of Lake Urmia in the east, and Mesopotamia in the southeast, was developed. The recorded species were classified according to the phytogeographical provinces of Anatolia. Distributions of the species with the potential for pullulating were modelled using ecological-niche-modelling approaches for the present and future. The results have the potential to lead to the development of a concept that merges biogeography and the pest potential of certain Anatolian grasshopper species. Our results reveal the following: (i) Acrididae and Pamphagidae are the most diverse families represented in Anatolia; (ii) roughly 40% of Caelifera and 71% of Pamphagidae are endemics, suggesting Anatolia is a biodiversity hotspot; (iii) according to Caelifera diversity, the phytogeographical provinces of Anatolia follow an order of Irano-Anatolia, Euro-Siberia, Mediterranean, and Mesopotamia; and (iv) based on ecological modelling and personal observations, Dociostaurus maroccanus, Locusta migratoria, Calliptamus italicus, Heteracris pterosticha, Notostaurus anatolicus, Oedipoda miniata, and O. schochii should be monitored regarding their pest potential. Full article

Clarifying phylogenetic position and reconstructing robust phylogeny of groups using various evidences are an eternal theme for taxonomy and systematics. In this study, the complete mitogenomes of Longzhouacris mirabilis, Ranacris albicornis, and Conophyma zhaosuensis were sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and the characteristics of the mitogenomes are presented briefly. The mitogenomes of the three species are all circular molecules with total lengths of 16,164 bp, 15,720 bp, and 16,190 bp, respectively. The gene structures and orders, as well as the characteristics of the mitogenomes, are similar to those of other published mitogenomes in Caelifera. The phylogeny of the main subfamilies of Acrididae with prosternal process was reconstructed using a selected dataset of mitogenome sequences under maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) frameworks. The results showed that the genus Emeiacris consistently fell into the subfamily Melanoplinae rather than Oxyinae, and the genus Choroedocus had the closest relationship with Shirackiacris of the subfamily Eyprepocnemidinae in both phylogenetic trees deduced from mitogenome protein coding genes (PCGs). This finding is entirely consistent with the morphological characters, which indicate that Emeiacris belongs to Melanoplinae and Choroedocus belongs to Eyprepocnemidinae. In addition, the genera Conophymacris and Xiangelilacris, as well as Ranacris and Menglacris, are two pairs of the closest relatives, but their phylogenetic positions need further study to clarify. Full article

The abandonment of traditional agricultural practices and subsequent succession are major threats to many open-adapted species and species-rich ecosystems. Viticulture on steep slopes has recently suffered from strong declines due to insufficient profitability, thus increasing the area of fallow land considerably. Changing cultivation systems from vertically oriented to modern vineyard terraces offers an opportunity to maintain management economically viable and thus reduces further abandonment. Hillside parallel terraces favor mechanization, and their embankments offer large undisturbed areas that could provide valuable habitats. We investigated the effects of vineyard abandonment, different vineyard management types (vertically oriented vs. terraced), and local parameters on Orthoptera diversity in 45 study sites along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley in Germany. Our results show that woody structures and vineyard abandonment reduced Orthoptera diversity at the local and landscape scale due to decreased habitat quality, especially for open-adapted species. In contrast, open inter-rows of actively managed vineyard types supported heat-adapted Caelifera species. On terrace embankments, extensive management and taller vegetation benefited Ensifera species, while short and mulched vegetation in vertically oriented vineyards favored the dominance of one single Caelifera species. Our results highlight the significance of maintaining viticultural management on steep slopes for the preservation of both open-adapted Orthoptera species and the cultural landscape. Full article

Plagues of locust possibly date back to before humanity, as they evolved before humans. Following the Neolithic revolution and the permanent settlement of humans in Mesopotamia, locusts and grasshoppers have become a serious problem for people, as imprinted on archaeological remains. In the Near East, desert locust may be an important problem during invasion periods, in addition to various local species of locusts and grasshoppers. Past plagues caused serious disasters in the region, but there has been a pause since the 1960s, thanks to more effective monitoring and control. However, global warming and other anthropogenic activities change ecosystems, and these increase the potential for locust outbreaks, upsurges and plagues for the region. Outbreaks of some local species could also be a serious problem. Pest species of the locust and grasshopper of the Near East mainly belong to Caelifera and some to Ensifera. Global warming and extended agricultural activities can increase the potential for outbreaks of local species and create suitable conditions for desert locust invasions. This review is an attempt to (i) provide a historical background for locust invasions/outbreaks in the Near East, (ii) assess the potential for outbreaking of local species and (iii) define a perspective for future actions regarding global changes. Full article