Patch connectivity and sand dynamics affect dispersal‐related morphology of the blue‐winged grasshopperOedipoda caerulescensin coastal grey dunes

Abstract

Abstract. 1. Anthropogenic land use leads to increasing habitat fragmentation and habitat loss for many species. Exchange of individuals between and recolonisation of habitat patches is essential for the stability and long‐term survival of populations in fragmented landscapes. Inter‐patch dispersal depends on the dispersal ability of species and on landscape structure.2. In this study, we analysed the influence of patch size, patch connectivity and sand dynamics on thorax‐ and wing length as proxies for dispersal ability of the blue‐winged grasshopperOedipoda caerulescensin coastal grey dunes.3. Our study revealed that sand dynamics and patch configuration had clear though sex‐specific effects on dispersal‐related morphology. Males were smaller and had shorter wings if patches became larger and less connected. In addition, both sexes were larger in habitat patches with high sand dynamics compared to those in patches with lower dynamics. Investments in wing length were only larger in connected populations when sand dynamics were low, indicating that both landscape and patch‐related environmental factors are of importance.4. The observed effect of landscape characteristics on morphology agrees with predictions from theoretical models on the evolution of dispersal in metapopulations. However, as effects appear to be less pronounced in females, it is possible that selection pressures act differently on both sexes. An alternative explanation, however, would be that the observed patterns could be due to sex‐specific phenotypic plasticity. The presented results add to the evidence that dispersal‐related morphology varies according to expectations on dispersal evolution in recently structured populations at small spatial scales.