The Orthoptera of the Adriatic coast of Italy (Insecta: Orthoptera)

Abstract

Biogeographia vol. XXIII - 2002 (Pubblicato II 1 ‘’ ottobre 2002) Biogeografia degli ambienti costieri The Orthoptera of the Adriatic coast of Italy (Insecta: Orthoptera) PAOLO FONTANA*, ROY MATTEO JACCO CHRISTIAN KLEUKER ** *Dz'pzzrtz'mmto dz‘ Agnmomzkz Anzbientzzle e Prozluzioni Vegetali — Entomologizz — Uzziversitfz dz’ Pzzdowz, AGRIPOLIS, V222 Roman, 16 - I-35020 Legmzra, Pzzdoz/zz (Italy) e-mail.‘ 1Dfbfltdflfl@flgTl;D0[i5.ll7Zl;D6liif **EzIropezz7z Invertebrate SZl1’”l/€_)/ — The Netherlands, Nzztiomzl M zzreum of Nzztuml Histmy, Postlms 9517, 2300 RA Leiden (The Net/Jer/ands) e—mzzi/: k/eukers @mzturzz/2'5. nnm. nl Key words: Insecta, Orthoptera, coastal habitats, Adriatic Sea, conservation SUMMARY Until now the studies on Orthoptera in Italy have been focussed primarily on high mountains and islands. Based on preliminary distribution maps, We argue that coastal habitats are important for Italian Orthoptera. The focus is the Adriatic coast, where three types of habitat for Orthoptera are present, differing markedly in species composition. 1) Wetlands. A habitat which is not extremely rich in Orthoptera, but with several endemic or very rare species: Raerelizmzr brzimzeri, Zetmerizzzuz mzzrmarrzrzz, Eptzcronzius L'0€I'll[ipE.\' coerzzlipes, Eprrcmznim‘ tergertzmzr teigertiimr and C/nyror/Jmmz a’irpzzrgigrz;1teu.r. 2) Sand dunes. A habitat rich in Orthoptera, with especially thermophilous Acrididae. Sp/Ji7zgmwmr _perr0mzm5, Acraz}/[115 [mzgiper and Dim/Jizz: 111/zzmvi belong to the most characteristic species of this community. 3) Rocky coastlantl. A habitat poor in Orthoptera. The most characteristic species can be found in the subfamily Oeclipodinae. The rare cricket Pseudarrzagoplister .rqttzmzz'ger occurs exclusively on rocky and pebbly beaches. From the Adriatic coast 79 species of Orthoptera are recorded. Four species are endemic to Italy and three of these, R0253/iztmz erznzneri, Zemzerizzmz mzzrnlarzztzz, Dilr/Jizzs mzzzrm/i, are restricted to coastal habitats. The first two species are known only from brackish wetlands along the Golfo di Venezia. In total 13 of the 79 species are considered to be endangered in Italy. The three endemic species and Sp/Jingmzatu: perxaizatur and C/nyrac/mzmz :l'irptzrgiga71te1zr, which are very rare outside Italy, are on the verge of extinction. We propose to include these five taxa in relevant international lists of protected species. The northern part of the Adriatic coast, especially the Golfo di Venezia, proved to be much richer in characteristic species than the southern part of the Adriatic coast. It is remarkable that some typical mediterranean genera are missing on the Adriatic coast, while present in fie. the western Italian coast and Greece: Eyprepanzemzlr, Hetmzcris, Trapidopalzz, Or/77‘ilz’zi./izz. Coastal wetlands and sand dunes are important Orthoptera habitats, with several endemic and rare species. During the last centuries, and especially the last 50 years, these habitats have declined and deteriorated as a result of destruction and pollution. Because of this process the characteristic Orthoptera species are heavily threatened. It will be a great challenge to study and protect the remaining coastal sites.