Corresponding author: Michael G. Sergeev ( mgs@fen.nsu.ru ) Academic editor: Roman Yakovlev
© 2020 Kristina V. Popova, Vladimir V. Molodtsov, Michael G. Sergeev.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Popova KV, Molodtsov VV, Sergeev MG (2020) Rare grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acridoidea) of the Baraba and Kulunda steppes (South Siberia). Acta Biologica Sibirica 6: 595-609. https://doi.org/10.3897/abs.6.e59519
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The first list of the rare grasshoppers of the Baraba and Kulunda steppes is presented. Two sets of distribution data are compared: (1) for the first half of 20th century and (2) for 1972–2019. A series of digital maps was generated by MapInfo 12.03. The distribution patterns of several species, namely Asiotmethis muricatus (Pallas), Notostaurus albicornis (Eversmann), Eremippus simplex (Eversmann), Myrmeleotettix antennatus (Fieber), Gomphocerippus rufus (Linnaeus), Mesasippus arenosus (Bey-Bienko), Mecostethus parapleurus (Hagenbach), Locusta migratoria Linnaeus, did not change significantly. Four taxa (Asiotmethis jubatus (Uvarov), Arcyptera fusca (Pallas), Stenobothrus carbonarius (Eversmann), Sphingonotus coerulipes Uvarov) were relatively often in the first half of 20th century and nowadays they are extremely rare. Two species, namely Megaulacobothrus aethalinus (Zubovsky) and Aeropedellus variegatus (Fischer de Waldheim), were recently found near the south-eastern and north-eastern boundaries of the region respectively. There are also the type localities of Asiotmethis jubatus and Mesasippus arenosus in the Kulunda steppe.
Acrididae, Caelifera, East Kazakhstan, Migratory locust, Pamphagidae, Russia
Grasshoppers (Acridoidea) are well known as possible pests, especially in agricultural areas. However, this superfamily includes a lot of endemic and rare species deserving conservation measures, particularly in mountains of the Palaearctic region (
The south-eastern part of West Siberian Plain is the territory where numerous outbreaks of locusts and grasshoppers' populations have been developed and where some rare acridid species occur. Besides, this territory has been significantly transformed by human activity, especially in the beginning and in the middle of the 20th century. Such regional and local transformations and/or also climate changes could and can result in some shifts in species and population distribution.
The first, but scarce data describing acridid diversity and distribution over the south-eastern part of West Siberian Plain were published in the 19th century, but more or less comprehensive studies of local grasshoppers started only in the 1920s (
Original data were collected from 1979 until 2019 in the so-called Baraba and Kulunda steppes. This huge area borders the Irtysh River to the west and south-west, the Ob River to the east, and the Altay Mts. to the south-east. Its northern boundary is approximately defined by the 56th parallel north. Originally this territory was covered with grasslands (from meadows to dry steppes) and forests (mainly the birch and pine ones) (
The peculiarities of acridid ecological distribution were characterized by quantitative and qualitative samples collected in natural and transformed ecosystems, usually in the middle of summer when adults were dominated. Samples captured during a fixed period of time were made in every habitat investigated (
Some old materials, mainly from the field trips of Novosibirsk State University (1972–1977), were also used, but we tried to check and correct previous identifications. We used the Glonass/GPS navigators to determine geographical coordinates (see Appendix
We analyzed data from different sources for the first half of the 20th century (
Maps of species distribution were produced on the basis of geographic coordinates with MapInfo 12.03.
SE European Russia, Kazakhstan, S West Siberia.
The species was (and is) very rare. It prefers habitats with scarce vegetation in the typical and dry steppes (commonly with some sagebrushes). A. muricatus is an early hatching grasshopper. Its adults can be usually observed in the first half of a summer. That explains, at least partly, its relative rarity, because here acridologists usually prefer to collect grasshoppers in the second part of a summer.
Some old data concerning its distribution may belong to to the next species described only in 1926.
SE West Siberia (steppes), NE, E Kazakhstan, NW China (N Xinjiang).
This species was described as Tmethis jubatus Uvarov from the vicinities of Severnaya settlement, Slavgorod District, Omsk Province (now Severka settlement, Klyuchevsky District, Altai Krai (Altaj Region), Russia) (
From the mountains of S Europe to Amur Region of Russia and to NE China; including Moldova, Ukraine, the southern part of European Russia, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, S Siberia up to Sakha (Yakutia), Mongolia.
In the first half of the 20th century the species was found in many localities, chiefly in the forest-steppes and in the steppes with forest patches, because it prefers some meadows with broadleaf forbs and grasses. During last decades this species was collected only in two locations. It is also rare in the forest-steppes on the left side of the Ob River, but in the Altay Mts., A. fusca may be very abundant locally. Evident downgrading of species populations in the region can be associated with intensive agricultural activity and the following destruction of meadows along forest edges.
From SE European Russia and the Caucasus to SE West Siberia and W Mongolia, Iran (the northern parts and Zagros), N Afghanistan.
This species was (and is) distributed over the dry steppes in the south-western part of the region. Its rare populations are associated with short scarce vegetation on clay soils. It is relatively common in the semi-deserts of E Kazakhstan.
SE European Russia, Kazakhstan (except the northern part), SE West Siberia, NW China, W Mongolia, S Tuva, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, NE Iran, NW Afghanistan.
This species was (and is) distributed over the dry steppes in the south-western part of the region. Its rare populations are associated with the very dry steppe habitats. Its populations may be abundant in the semi-deserts and north deserts of Kazakhstan.
SE European Russia, Kazakhstan, S Siberia (up to Buryatia); probably NW China and N Mongolia.
In the first half of the 20th century this rare species was found in many localities, mainly in the typical and dry steppes of the southern part of the region. The Dark toothed grasshopper is usually associated with the dry steppes. During last decades it was found only near Tabuny settlement in the central part of the Kulunda steppe, but in both 2004 and 2006 its average population density here was 0.32/m2.
Europe (except the northern parts), N Caucasus, Kazakhstan (except the south-western and southernmost parts), S West Siberia.
The rare populations of this species occured (and occur) only in the dry sandy steppe habitats (often together with Mesasippus arenosus (Bey-Bienko, 1930)). In 2004–2006 the average population density varied between 0.64 and 1.28/m2 (near Rakity settlement, Kulunda steppe). In the southern part of the Kulunda steppe, in 1972 the similar density (about 0.5/m2) was registered near Jamyshevo settlement on the right side of the Irtysh River, however, the same parameter was relatively low (about 0.05/m2) near Beskaragaj (Bolshaja Vladimirovka) settlement.
S Siberia (from the N Altay Mts. and their piedmont plains up to Dauria), E Kazakhstan, S Russian Far East, NE China, Korea.
In the Altay-Sayan Mts., the species is commonly associated with bushes and high meadows on the lower altitudinal belts of mountains. It was mentioned from the south-eastern edge of West Siberian Plain, on the so-called Anuy Ouval, for the first time by
Europe (except the extreme North), Siberia (except the extreme North and NE parts), N Caucasus; W Kazakhstan, Amur Region, NE China.
N Europe, mountains of S Europe, N Caucasus, Siberia, Far East (the northern parts), Kazakhstan (except the southern parts), Mongolia.
A few specimens were observed in the forest-steppes on the left side of the Ob River. The species is common in the different mountain steppes of the Altay-Sayan Mts., from the alpine ones to the dry steppes on piedmont plains of intermountain basins and to the semi-deserts.
Actually almost all specimens from the Kulunda steppe represent Aeropedellus baliolus Mistshenko, 1951.
SE West Siberia (dry steppes), E Kazakhstan.
The species was described as Chorthippus kozhevnikovi arenosus Bey-Bienko from the vicinities of Aul settlement, Semipalatinskij District (now in the East Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan) (Bey-Bienko, 1930b). The rare populations of this species occured (and occur) only in the dry sandy steppe habitats (often together with M. antennatus). In 2004–2006 the average density of one population varied between 0.16 and 1.32/m2 (dry sandy steppe, near Rakity settlement, Kulunda steppe).
Europe (except the northern parts), Asia Minor, Caucasus, Kazakhstan, S Siberia, S Russian Far East, NE China, Korea, Japan, NW Iran, Central Asia.
In S Siberia, the Leek grasshopper was (and is) distributed very locally. Its populations are usually associated with grass meadow along rivers, but on the Anuy Ouval (near Sychevka settlement) it was found in the meadow steppe with some high grasses, forbs, and bushes (together with M. aethalinus and G. rufus).
The most widely distributed acridid species. Its ranges includes almost all Eurasia (except the North), Africa, Australia and many islands. The nominotypical subspecies is mainly distributed over the extra-tropical regions of Eurasia. The Migratory locust is one of the most important transboundary pest in many tropical and subtropical countries of Old World and of the southern parts of temperate Eurasia too.
In the first half of the 20th century adults of the Migratory locust have been found in many places in the southern part of West Siberian Plain (up to the southern taiga). However, these specimens were mainly originated from South-East Kazakhstan (
From SE Europe and Asia Minor to SE West Siberia and W Mongolia, N Iran.
In the first half of the 20th century S. coerulipes was more or less common in the southern part of the Kulunda steppe (
In the Baraba and Kulunda steppes, the rare species of grasshoppers comprise about 24 % of local acridid fauna (14 species from 59) (
The distribution patterns of several species, namely Asiotmethis muricatus, Notostaurus albicornis, Eremippus simplex, Myrmeleotettix antennatus, Gomphocerippus rufus, Mesasippus arenosus, Mecostethus parapleurus, Locusta migratoria, did not change significantly. Two species, namely Megaulacobothrus aethalinus and Aeropedellus variegatus, were recently found near the south-eastern and north-eastern boundaries of the region. Four taxa (Asiotmethis jubatus, Arcyptera fusca, Stenobothrus carbonarius, Sphingonotus coerulipes) were relatively often in the first half of 20th century, but nowadays they are extremely rare. Some serious problems with the last species group may be explained by some destruction or transformation of many habitats during the Virgin Land campaign in the middle of the 20th century when huge steppe areas have been ploughed and many steppe and meadow remains have become overgrazed. In any case, the local populations of almost all rare species are usually associated with a few types of habitats. This means that intensification and changes of human activity (inculding pest control during grasshopper and locust upsurges) may result in their elimination. A simple red-listing of rare grasshoppers is not enough in almost all cases, because nobody may control their populations. We should modify conservation strategy for grasshoppers, especially in the grasslands, with much more emphasis on conserving whole ecosystems and landscapes. As a result, pest management protocols should incorporate data concerning rare species populations and their habitats/ecosystems to avoid the extinction.
We wish to express our thanks to the late L.L. Mistshenko (St. Petersburg) and the late I.V. Stebaev (Novosibirsk) for their advices and cooperation and to all collectors of specimens. We are also indebted to all companions during our numerous field trips to the Baraba and Kulunda steppes. We also thank two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions.
These studies were financially supported by the joint programme of the Russian Foundation for Basic Researches and the Government of Novosibirsk Region (18-416-540001) and the Federal Fundamental Scientific Research Programme for 2013–2020 (No. АААА-А16-116121410123-1).
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Localities of rare grasshoppers (Insecta, Orthoptera, Acrididae) dustribution in the Baraba and Kulunda steppes (South Siberia)
Species | Period | N / E | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
Aeropedellus variegatus | 1972–2019 | 53.85, 81.22 | |
Arcyptera fusca | 1900–1950 | 53.33, 82.98 | |
1900–1950 | 53.03, 82.88 | ||
1900–1950 | 53.52, 81.07 | ||
1900–1950 | 53.08, 82.33 | ||
1900–1950 | 54.97, 73.48 | ||
1900–1950 | 55.88, 74.72 | ||
1900–1950 | 54.48, 79.68 | ||
1900–1950 | 54.65, 73.87 | ||
1972–2019 | 53.9, 80.58 | ||
1972–2019 | 52.63, 82.13 | ||
Asiotmethis jubatus | 1900–1950 | 51.52, 80.35 | |
1900–1950 | 51.05, 81.03 | ||
1900–1950 | 52.12, 79.32 | Type locality | |
1900–1950 | 53.08, 81.4 | ||
1900–1950 | 50.45, 80.23 | ||
1900–1950 | 50.78, 80.4 | ||
until 1956 | 50.82, 80.3 | ||
until 1956 | 51.38, 79.8 | ||
Asiotmethis muricatus | until 1956 | 51.38, 79.8 | |
1972–2019 | 53.17, 76.17 | ||
Eremippus simplex | until 1956 | 50.93, 80.1 | |
until 1956 | 50.45, 80.23 | ||
1972–2019 | 52.7, 77.52 | ||
Gomphocerippus rufus | until 1956 | 53.32, 83.73 | |
until 1956 | 53.52, 81.07 | ||
until 1956 | 55.15, 73.55 | ||
until 1956 | 55.25, 73.03 | ||
until 1956 | 55.02, 73.25 | ||
until 1956 | 53.08, 82.33 | ||
1972–2019 | 53.9, 80.58 | ||
1972–2019 | 55.12, 75.5 | ||
1972–2019 | 54.97, 82.95 | ||
1972–2019 | 52.07, 84.83 | ||
Locusta migratoria | until 1956 | 53.32, 83.73 | Stable population |
until 1956 | 53.78, 81.37 | Stable population | |
until 1956 | 50.45, 80.23 | Stable population | |
until 1956 | 52.22, 81.38 | Stable population | |
until 1956 | 50.93, 80.1 | Vagrant specimen(s) | |
until 1956 | 54.97, 73.48 | Vagrant specimen(s) | |
until 1956 | 55.35, 76.97 | Vagrant specimen(s) | |
until 1956 | 55.68, 79.05 | Vagrant specimen(s) | |
until 1956 | 51.17, 79.97 | Vagrant specimen(s) | |
until 1956 | 53, 78.67 | Vagrant specimen(s) | |
until 1956 | 52.48, 82.82 | Vagrant specimen(s) | |
until 1956 | 50.93, 78.25 | Swarms | |
1972–2019 | 51.93, 80.28 | Stable population | |
1972–2019 | 53.67, 78.25 | Stable population | |
1972–2019 | 52.87, 80.97 | Stable population | |
1972–2019 | 51.72, 79.77 | Stable population | |
1972–2019 | 53.73, 77.87 | Vagrant (?) specimen | |
1972–2019 | 51.82, 80.63 | Vagrant (?) specimen | |
Mecostethus parapleurus | until 1956 | 53.03, 82.88 | |
until 1956 | 54.97, 73.48 | ||
1972–2019 | 53.1, 75.92 | ||
1972–2019 | 52.07, 84.83 | ||
Megaulacobothrus aethalinus | 1972–2019 | 52.07, 84.83 | |
Mesasippus arenosus | until 1956 | 51.05, 81.03 | Type locality |
until 1956 | 50.75, 80.28 | ||
1972–2019 | 52.12, 79.32 | ||
1972–2019 | 51.83, 79.83 | ||
1972–2019 | 51.88, 77.38 | ||
Myrmeleotettix antennatus | until 1956 | 51.05, 80.18 | |
until 1956 | 50.45, 80.23 | ||
1972–2019 | 51.88, 77.38 | ||
1972–2019 | 50.97, 79.35 | ||
1972–2019 | 51.87, 80.08 | ||
1972–2019 | 51.83, 79.83 | ||
Notostaurus albicornis | until 1956 | 50.93, 80.1 | |
until 1956 | 50.45, 80.23 | ||
1972–2019 | 52.85, 78.57 | ||
1972–2019 | 50.97, 79.35 | ||
Sphingonotus coerulipes | until 1956 | 51.27, 81.1 | |
until 1956 | 51.2, 81.18 | ||
until 1956 | 51.52, 80.35 | ||
until 1956 | 51.47, 77.78 | ||
until 1956 | 50.38, 80.48 | ||
until 1956 | 50.45, 80.23 | ||
Stenobothrus carbonarius | until 1956 | 52.28, 81.48 | |
until 1956 | 52.48, 81.83 | ||
until 1956 | 52.63, 82.15 | ||
until 1956 | 51.05, 81.03 | ||
until 1956 | 53.08, 82.33 | ||
until 1956 | 50.75, 80.28 | ||
until 1956 | 51.28, 80.43 | ||
1972–2019 | 52.77, 78.8 |