Distribution Patterns of Grasshoppers and Their Kin over the Eurasian Steppes

Michael G Sergeev

doi:10.3390/insects12010077

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe steppe zone is the huge area in temperate Eurasia where different grasslands form the main type of vegetation. The main part of this life zone has been transformed by human activity and used for crop cultivation (mainly wheat) and livestock. Regional and local transformations and/or climate changes can result in some shifts in species and population distribution of Orthoptera. Over this area, the climatic conditions and the dominated grasslands are suitable for numerous grasshoppers and their relatives, especially the graminivorous ones. The general level of their diversity is usually high. Many species are very abundant and may become important pests. However, there are also many rare species. The main aims of this paper are to reveal general patterns of Orthoptera distribution in the Eurasian steppes, to evaluate long-term trends of changes in distribution of taxa and populations, and to estimate the potential for population changes relative to human activity and global warming trends.The main aims of this paper are to reveal general patterns of Orthoptera distribution in the Eurasian steppes, to evaluate long-term trends of changes in distribution of taxa and populations, and to estimate the potential for population changes relative to human activity and global warming trends. The main publications concerning diversity and distribution of these insects over the steppes are analyzed. The fauna of the Eurasian steppes includes more than 440 species of Orthoptera. The general distribution of grasshoppers and their kin in the Eurasian steppes reflects their common associations with different grasslands. The species richness increases from the relatively cold forest-steppes to the semi-deserts with their warm summer. There are some endemic or subendemic taxa, including the tribe Onconotini (Tettigoniidae). The populations’ distribution of Orthoptera is also analyzed. The populations of native Orthoptera extend through all the herbaceous landscapes. Under these conditions, the interrelating of colonies of each species may result in great abundance. The population distribution of three species locusts (Locusta migratoria, Calliptamus italicus, Dociostaurus maroccanus) is also discussed. Some notable changes of their populations’ distribution and dynamics are characterized. The situation with rare Orthoptera is estimated. Retrospective and prospective of the steppe fauna of Orthoptera are discussed.

Highlights

The main part of this life zone has been transformed by human activity and used for crop cultivation part of this life zone has been transformed by human activity and used for crop cultivation and livestock
The samples were collected in the Eurasian steppe by the expeditions of Department of General Biology and Ecology (Novosibirsk State University) and the Laboratory of Insect Ecology ( Laboratory of Invertebrate Ecology, Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences) from 1972 to 2020
The most important problem is the shortage of appropriate fossils. This results in development of different hypotheses explaining geographic and ecological history of different taxa and faunas

Summary

Introduction

The steppe zone is the huge area in temperate Eurasia where different grasslands form the main type of vegetation [1,2,3,4] (Figure 1). The steppes were commonly used as pasturelands for many (mainly wheat) and livestock. The steppes were commonly used as pasturelands for many centuries. The European steppes were gradually transformed to agriculture centuries. The European steppes were gradually transformed to agriculture fields fields several centuries ago. In the beginning of the 20th century, some territories were ploughed in South Siberia. In the middle of the last century, during the soploughed in South Siberia. In the middle of the last century, during the so-called called Virgin Land campaign, huge steppe areas were ploughed, and many of the remainVirgin Land campaign, huge steppe areas were ploughed, and many of the remaining areas ing areas have of steppe have become overgrazed

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Conclusion