Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Food digestibility and consumption rate in detrito-bryophagous groundhopper Tetrix subulata (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae)

  • Published:
Biologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Detrito-bryophagy represents a specific feeding strategy in orthopterans. We evaluated the consumption rate and digestibility of two main food components (detritus and moss) in a typical detrito-bryophagous groundhopper, Tetrix subulata (L., 1758), under laboratory conditions. By analysing gravimetric consumption, we confirmed that detritus is consumed more intensively and with higher efficiency (digestibility 91%) than moss tissues represented by the offered tissues of Calliergonella cuspidata (Hedw.) Loeske (digestibility approximately 60%). Detritus seems to contain easily digestible compounds (a dominant source of nutrition); moss is also consumed obviously because of important additional functions in the diet.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Asakawa Y. 1995. Chemical constituents of the bryophytes, pp. 1–562. In: Herz W., Kirby G.W., Moore R.E., Steglich W. & Tamm C. (eds), Fortschritte der Chemie organischer Naturstoffe [Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products], Vol. 65, Springer, Wien, 618 pp. ISBN: 978-3-7091-7427-2

    Google Scholar 

  • Asakawa Y. 2007. Biologically active compounds from bryophytes. Pure Appl. Chem. 79 (4): 557–580. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200779040557

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baur B., Baur H., Roesti C. & Roesti D. 2006. Die Heuschrecken der Schweiz. Haupt, Bern, 352 pp. ISBN: 978-3-258-07053-7

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhalerao A.M., Naidu N.M. & Paranjape S.Y. 1987. Some observations on the nutrition, reproduction correlation in grouse locusts (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae). S.Y. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Anim. Sci.) 96: 323–327. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03180016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhalerao A.M. & Paranjape S.Y. 1986. Studies on the bioecology of a grouse locust Euscelimena harpago Serv. (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae). Geobios-Lyon 13: 145–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Crafford J.E. & Chown S.L. 1991. Comparative nutritional ecology of bryophyte and angiosperm feeders in a sub-Antarctic weevil species complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Ecol. Entomol. 16: 323–330. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1991.tb00223.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enríquez S., Duarte C.M. & Sand-Jensen K. 1993. Patterns in decomposition rates among photosynthetic organisms: the importance of detritus C:N:P content. Oecologia 94: 457–471. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00566960

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forman R.T.T. 1968. Caloric values of bryophytes. Bryologist 71: 344–347. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3241119

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frankland J.C. 1974. Decomposition of lower plants, pp. 3–36. In: Dickinson C.H. & Pugh G.J.F. (eds), Biology of Plant Litter Decomposition Vol. 1, Academic Press, London and New York, 146 pp. ISBN: 978-0-12-215001-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frost S.W. 1959. Insect Life and Insect Natural History. Peter Smith Pub, New York, 524 pp. ISBN-10: 0486205177

    Google Scholar 

  • Gangwere S.K. 1961. A monograph on food selection in Orthoptera. Trans. Am. Entomol. Soc. 87: 67–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gangwere S.K. 1962. A study of the feculae of Orthoptera, their specificity, and the role which the insects’ mouthparts, alimentary canal, and food-habits play in their formation. Eos: Revista Espańola de Entomología (Madrid) 38: 247–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gangwere S.K. 1993. Feculae and defecation in phytophagous orthoptera (sens. lat.). Phytophaga 5: 13–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glime J.M. 2014. The fauna: a place to call home. In: Glime J.M. (ed.), Bryophyte Ecology. Ebook sponsored by Michigan Technological University and the International Association of Bryologists. Last updated 29 April 2014. https://doi.org/www.bryoecol.mtu.edu/.. (accessed 05.10.2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haines W.P. & Renwick J.A.A. 2009. Bryophytes as food: comparative consumption and utilization of mosses by a generalist insect herbivore. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 133: 296–306. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.2009.00929.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hochkirch A., Gröning J., Loos T., Metzing C. & Reichelt M. 2000. Specialized diet and feeding habits as key factors for the habitat requirements of the grasshopper species Tetrix subulata (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae). Entomol. Gener. 25: 39–51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1127/entom.gen/25/2000/39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgson C.J. 1963. Some observations on the habits and life history of Tetrix undulata (Swrb.) (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae). Proc. R. Entomol. Soc. A 38 (10–12): 200–205. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3032.1963.tb00750.x

    Google Scholar 

  • Holst K.T. 1986. The Saltatoria of Northern Europe (Bush-crickets, crickets and grasshoppers). Scandinavian Science Press, Leiden, Nederland, 127 pp. ISBN: 8787491273, 9788787491273

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingrisch S. & Köhler G. 1998. Die Heuschrecken Mitteleu¨ ropas: Biologie, Okologie, Verhalten und Schutz. Westarp Wissenschaften, Magdeburg, Deutchland, 460 pp. ISBN-10: 3894324619, ISBN-13: 978-3894324612

    Google Scholar 

  • Insam H. 1996. Microorganisms and humus in soils. pp. 265–292. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-044481516-3/50007-4. In: Piccolo A. (ed.), Humic Substances in Terrestrial Eecosystems, Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherland, 675 pp. ISBN: 978-0-444-81516-3

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kočárek P., Grucmanová Š., Filipcová Z., Bradová L., Plášek V. & Holuša J. 2008. Bryophagy in the grasshopper Tetrix ceperoi (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae): analysis of alimentary tract contents, pp. 348–352. In: Kočárek P., Plášek V., Malachová K. & Cimalová Š. (eds), Environmental Changes and Biological Assessment IV, Scripta Facultatis Rerum Naturalium Universitatis Ostraviensis, Ostrava, Czech Republic, 391 pp. ISBN: 978-80-7368-451-8

  • Kočárek P., Holuša J., Grucmanová Š. & Musiolek D. 2011. Biology of Tetrix bolivari (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae). Cent. Eur. J. Biol. 6: 531–544. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-011-0023-y

    Google Scholar 

  • Kočárek P., Holuša J. & Vidlička L. 2005. Blattaria, Mantodea, Orthoptera & Dermaptera of the Czech and Slovak Republics. Kabourek, Zlín, Czech Republic, 348 pp. ISBN: 8086447057, 9788086447056

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuřavová K., Hajduková L. & Kočárek P. 2014. Age-related mandible abrasion in the groundhopper Tetrix tenuicornis (Tetrigidae, Orthoptera). Arthropod Struct. Dev. 43: 187–192. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2014.02.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuřavová K. & Kočárek P. 2015. Seasonal variation in the diet of Tetrix tenuicornis (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae). Entomol. Sci. 18 (4): 489–501. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ens.12145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuřavová K., Šipoš J., Wahab R.A., Kahar R.S. & Kočárek P. 2016. Feeding patterns in tropical groundhoppers (Tetrigidae): a case of phylogenetic dietary conservatism in a basal group of Caelifera. Zool. J Linn. Soc. (London). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12474.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maksimova V., Klavina L., Bikovens O., Zicmanis A. & Purmalis O. 2013. Structural characterization and chemical classification of some bryophytes found in Latvia. Chem. Biodivers. 10: 1284–1294. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.201300014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paranjape S.Y. & Bhalerao A.M. 1985. Bioecological observations on a pigmy locust, Potua sabulosa Hancock (Tetrigidae: Orthoptera). Psyche 92: 331–336. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/1985/30570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pařík L. 2014. Potravní preference marše obecné Tetrix subulata [Food preferences of groundhopper Tetrix subulata]. Unpublished Diploma thesis, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic. [in Czech, English abstract]

    Google Scholar 

  • Persson T., Bååth E., Clarholm M., Lundkvist H., Söderström B. & Sohlenius B. 1980. Trophic structure, biomass dynamics and carbon metabolism of soil organisms in a Scots pine forest, pp. 419–459. In: Persson T. (ed.), Structure and Function of Nothern Coniferous Forests–An Ecosystem Study, Ecol. Bull. 32, Swedish Natural Science Research Council (NFR), 609 pp. ISBN-10: 9154602882

    Google Scholar 

  • R Core Team 2015. R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing, Version 3.3.0. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna. URL: https://doi.org/www.R-project.org.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds J.D., Blackith R.E. & Blackith R.M. 1988. Dietary observations on some tetrigids (Orthoptera: Caelifera) from Sulawesi (Indonesia). J. Trop. Ecol. 4: 403–406. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467400003072

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rice D.L. 1982. The detritus nitrogen problem: new observations and perspectives from organic geochemistry. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 9: 153–162.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sabovljevic A. & Sabovljevic M. 2008. Bryophytes, a source of bioactive and new compounds, pp. 9–24. In: Govil J.N. & Singh V.K. (eds), Phytopharmacology and Therapeutic Values IV, the Series “Recent Progress in Medicinal Plants 22, Studium Press, Houston, Texas, USA, 633 pp. ISBN-10: 1933699124

    Google Scholar 

  • Scriber J.M. & Slansky F. 1981. The nutritional ecology of immature insects. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 26: 183–211. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.en.26.010181.001151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson F.J. 1994. Humus Chemistry: Genesis, Composition, Reactions. John Wiley & Sons, USA, 512 pp. ISBN: 978-0-471-59474-1

    Google Scholar 

  • Verdcourt B. 1947. A note on the food of Acridium Geoff. (Orthopt.). Entomol. Mon. Magaz. 83: 190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waldbauer G.P. 1968. The consumption and utilization of food by insects. Adv. Insect Physiol. 5: 229–288. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2806(08)60230-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss M.R. 2003. Good housekeeping: why do shelter-dwelling caterpillars fling their frass. Ecol. Lett. 6: 361–370. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00442.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss M.R. 2006. Defecation behavior and ecology of insects. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 51 (1): 635–661. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ento.49.061802.123212

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Polyneoptera research group, Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Ostrava, Chittussiho 10, CZ-71000, Slezská Ostrava, Czech Republic

    Kateřina Kuřavová & Petr Kočárek

Authors
  1. Kateřina Kuřavová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Petr Kočárek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kateřina Kuřavová.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kuřavová, K., Kočárek, P. Food digestibility and consumption rate in detrito-bryophagous groundhopper Tetrix subulata (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae). Biologia 72, 452–457 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2017-0046

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2017-0046

Key words

Search

Navigation