Zettel Jürg

Influence of spreading woody plants and surface cover on the distribution of Calliptamus italicus and Oedipoda caerulescens (Saltatoria, Caelifera) in a steppe habitat

Project Number: CH-4996
Project Type: Master
Project Duration: 04/01/2002 - 08/31/2003 project completed
Funding Source: other ,
Leading Institution: Universität Bern, Zoologisches Institut
Project Leader: Prof. em. Jürg Zettel
Biologe
Speichergasse 8
3150 Schwarzenburg
Phone: +41 31 971 34 44

related to this project.
for which the project has a relevance.


Research Areas:
Biodiversity

Disciplines:
zoology

Keywords:
Rottensand, Calliptamus italicus, Oedipoda caerulescens, steppe

Abstract:
The Rottensand is a nature reserve located alongside a braided alpine river in Valais (CH). Due to the prevention of flooding by dams, pine forest is spreading and fragmenting the xeric steppes. We investigated the influence of surface cover and the shading by trees on egg-laying sites and on the distriubtion of larvae and adults of Calliptamus italicus and Oedipoda caerulescens. The abundance of C. italicus was more than two times higher than that of O. caerulescens. Both species preferably laid their oothecae in places with little shadow and medium to low vegetation cover. Both species always avoided shrubs and trees. In both species areas with low gras coverage were more preferred by early instars than by late instars and adults. O. caerulescens needs much bare soil (75-100% of the surface) whereas C. italicus prefers areas with a mosaic of bare soil and moderate to high grass coverage (50-75% of the surface). By capture-recapture method we showed low dispersal in both species and that larvae have lower dispersals than the adults. In conclusion, at the study site both species are threatened by the spreading pine forest and O. caerulescens additionally by a receding percentage of bare soil.

Leading questions:
  • What is the influence of spreading woody plants and surface cover on the distribution of Calliptamus italicus?

  • What is the influence of spreading woody plants and surface cover on the distribution of Oedipoda caerulescens?

  • Is there any differences in the use of habitat for both species?


    Publications:
    Urech R. 2003. Influence of spreading woody plants and surface cover on the distribution of Calliptamus italicus and Oedipoda caerulescens (Saltatoria, Caelifera) in a steppe habitat. Zoologisches Institut, Abteilung Synökologie, Universität Bern
    pdf Diplomarbeit


    Last update: 7/18/17
    Source of data: ProClim- Research InfoSystem (1993-2024)
    Update the data of project: CH-4996

    Go Back