engleski

Spatial distribution of grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera) and cockroaches (Blattodea) along the temporary Krčić River

Grasshoppers and crickets, and cockroaches (Insecta: Orthoptera, Blattodea) were sampled along the temporary Krčić River in two habitat types – riparian and karst. These habitats differ in environmental factors, particularly air and soil temperature, significantly higher in the karst, and air humidity, significantly higher in the riparian habitat. Sampling was performed by pitfall traps at 72 sites in 2014. In total 41 orthopteran taxa with 1, 168 specimens and 8 cockroach taxa with 450 specimens were collected. Taxon richness, abundance and diversity of both orthopterans and cockroaches were significantly higher in the karst habitat than in the riparian habitat. Altogether 6 dominant orthopteran and 6 dominant cockroach taxa were found in the riparian habitat, while 5 orthopteran and 4 cockroach taxa dominated in the karst. Seasonal dynamics of abundant species were found to be diverse, resulting from different life cycles. Spatial distribution of orthopteran and cockroach assemblages was primarily governed by soil temperature and air humidity, as indicated by the canonical correspondence analysis. This study contributed to the understanding of spatial distribution of orthopteran and cockroach assemblages in the study area and to the general knowledge of ecological preferences and seasonal dynamics of certain taxa.

riparian and karst habitat, assemblage, diversity, seasonal dynamics, environmental factors

nije evidentirano