Effects of Environmental Factors on the Diversity of Grasshopper Communities along Altitude Gradients in Xizang, China

To determine the grasshopper species composition, altitudinal distribution patterns, and their main drivers, we conducted a study in Xizang using 33 sample plots ranging from 600 to 4100 m. Grasshoppers were collected from August to October during 2020–2022 using sweep nets. A total of 1159 grasshop...

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Main Authors: Yonghui Li, Qing Liu, Xiaoming Zhang, Benyong Mao, Guohui Yang, Fuming Shi, Jingui Bi, Zhibin Ma, Guowen Tang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/9/671
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author Yonghui Li
Qing Liu
Xiaoming Zhang
Benyong Mao
Guohui Yang
Fuming Shi
Jingui Bi
Zhibin Ma
Guowen Tang
author_facet Yonghui Li
Qing Liu
Xiaoming Zhang
Benyong Mao
Guohui Yang
Fuming Shi
Jingui Bi
Zhibin Ma
Guowen Tang
author_sort Yonghui Li
collection DOAJ
description To determine the grasshopper species composition, altitudinal distribution patterns, and their main drivers, we conducted a study in Xizang using 33 sample plots ranging from 600 to 4100 m. Grasshoppers were collected from August to October during 2020–2022 using sweep nets. A total of 1159 grasshoppers from six families, 28 genera, and 44 species were identified, with <i>Omocestus cuonaensis</i> and <i>Aserratus eminifrontus</i> as the dominant species, comprising 30.03% and 10.26% of total grasshoppers, respectively. The results showed that species richness and the Margalef richness index of grasshopper communities decreased significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) with increasing altitude, peaking at 1100–1600 m and lowest values at 2600–3100 m. Similarly, the Shannon–Wiener index and Simpson dominance index also decreased significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) with an increase in altitude, showing the highest and lowest values at 600–1100 m and 3100–3600 m, respectively. The Jaccard similarity coefficients among grasshopper communities varied from 0 to 0.40 across altitudinal gradients, indicating different degrees of dissimilarity. The results of Pearson correlation analyses showed that the Shannon–Wiener index, species richness, Margalef richness index, and Simpson dominance index of grasshopper communities were significantly negatively correlated with the temperature factors and soil pH, but they were significantly positively correlated with the moisture factors. Hierarchical partitioning identified annual mean temperature–daily difference, precipitation in the coldest season, and driest month precipitation as the primary factors explaining variance in grasshopper community diversity in Xizang. These findings provided greater insights into the mechanisms underlying insect community structure, distribution patterns, and diversity in Xizang ecosystems, including implications for the effects of global warming on insect communities.
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spelling doaj-art-33c4f2595ec1432da84bd4fbd4bb44c22025-08-20T01:55:33ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502024-09-0115967110.3390/insects15090671Effects of Environmental Factors on the Diversity of Grasshopper Communities along Altitude Gradients in Xizang, ChinaYonghui Li0Qing Liu1Xiaoming Zhang2Benyong Mao3Guohui Yang4Fuming Shi5Jingui Bi6Zhibin Ma7Guowen Tang8Research Institute of Gaoligong Mountains, Baoshan University, Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Insect Resources in Western Yunnan, Baoshan 678000, ChinaResearch Institute of Gaoligong Mountains, Baoshan University, Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Insect Resources in Western Yunnan, Baoshan 678000, ChinaCollege of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, National Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources in Yunnan, Kunming 650201, ChinaCollege of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali 671003, ChinaCollege of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali 671003, ChinaSchool of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, ChinaResearch Institute of Gaoligong Mountains, Baoshan University, Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Insect Resources in Western Yunnan, Baoshan 678000, ChinaResearch Institute of Gaoligong Mountains, Baoshan University, Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Insect Resources in Western Yunnan, Baoshan 678000, ChinaCollege of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, National Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Biological Resources in Yunnan, Kunming 650201, ChinaTo determine the grasshopper species composition, altitudinal distribution patterns, and their main drivers, we conducted a study in Xizang using 33 sample plots ranging from 600 to 4100 m. Grasshoppers were collected from August to October during 2020–2022 using sweep nets. A total of 1159 grasshoppers from six families, 28 genera, and 44 species were identified, with <i>Omocestus cuonaensis</i> and <i>Aserratus eminifrontus</i> as the dominant species, comprising 30.03% and 10.26% of total grasshoppers, respectively. The results showed that species richness and the Margalef richness index of grasshopper communities decreased significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) with increasing altitude, peaking at 1100–1600 m and lowest values at 2600–3100 m. Similarly, the Shannon–Wiener index and Simpson dominance index also decreased significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) with an increase in altitude, showing the highest and lowest values at 600–1100 m and 3100–3600 m, respectively. The Jaccard similarity coefficients among grasshopper communities varied from 0 to 0.40 across altitudinal gradients, indicating different degrees of dissimilarity. The results of Pearson correlation analyses showed that the Shannon–Wiener index, species richness, Margalef richness index, and Simpson dominance index of grasshopper communities were significantly negatively correlated with the temperature factors and soil pH, but they were significantly positively correlated with the moisture factors. Hierarchical partitioning identified annual mean temperature–daily difference, precipitation in the coldest season, and driest month precipitation as the primary factors explaining variance in grasshopper community diversity in Xizang. These findings provided greater insights into the mechanisms underlying insect community structure, distribution patterns, and diversity in Xizang ecosystems, including implications for the effects of global warming on insect communities.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/9/671altitudinal gradientgrasshopper community structuredistribution patterndriving factorsXizang
spellingShingle Yonghui Li
Qing Liu
Xiaoming Zhang
Benyong Mao
Guohui Yang
Fuming Shi
Jingui Bi
Zhibin Ma
Guowen Tang
Effects of Environmental Factors on the Diversity of Grasshopper Communities along Altitude Gradients in Xizang, China
Insects
altitudinal gradient
grasshopper community structure
distribution pattern
driving factors
Xizang
title Effects of Environmental Factors on the Diversity of Grasshopper Communities along Altitude Gradients in Xizang, China
title_full Effects of Environmental Factors on the Diversity of Grasshopper Communities along Altitude Gradients in Xizang, China
title_fullStr Effects of Environmental Factors on the Diversity of Grasshopper Communities along Altitude Gradients in Xizang, China
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Environmental Factors on the Diversity of Grasshopper Communities along Altitude Gradients in Xizang, China
title_short Effects of Environmental Factors on the Diversity of Grasshopper Communities along Altitude Gradients in Xizang, China
title_sort effects of environmental factors on the diversity of grasshopper communities along altitude gradients in xizang china
topic altitudinal gradient
grasshopper community structure
distribution pattern
driving factors
Xizang
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/9/671
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