Synopsis
Two contrasting male reproductive tactics occur amongst three ecologically categorised groups of the short-horned grasshoppers of the family Pneumoridae: forest, marginal and desert groups. On grounds not presented in this paper, the forest-living pneumorids are considered to be phyletically most primitive: males use only a single tactic and it is hence assumed to be the primary one. Here the male calls to, locates an answering female, and flies to her for mating. The alternative tactic involves no calling or flight and this tactic occurs in some marginal species together with the primary one whilst in some desert species the alternative tactic only is used. What little is known of the proximate and ultimate explanation is given. The distribution pattern of the use of male sexual pattern is correlated with geographical distribution and the alternative male tactic is tentatively associated with environmental instability, as envisaged in the original r-K selection theory. Other aspects of the biology that have been presented as r-K correlated are considered: body size, life cycles, longevity, reproductive output, and complexity of social relationships are presented for the three pneumorid groups. Some of these features fit classical theory adequately but additional constraints must be invoked to account for patterns of vagility, reproductive output and social relationships. Discontinuities in time and space, general harshness of the environment and biotic pressure, whether of conspecifics, competitors or predators, need to be taken into account. Population pressures within the groups and patterns of predator activity are suggested as areas where important contraints may be acting and that require investigation.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Arak, A. 1984. Sneaky breeders, pp. 154–194. In: C.J. Barnard (ed.) Producers and Scroungers, Chapman & Hall, New York.
Brundin, L.Z. 1981. Croizat’s panbiogeography versus phylogenetic biogeography. pp. 94–138. In: G. Nelson & D.E. Rosen (ed.) Vicariance Biogeography, Columbia University Press, New York.
Chapman, R.F. 1969. The insects. The English Universities Press, London. 819 pp.
Dirsh, V.M. 1965. Revision of the family Pneumoridae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), London 15: 325–396.
Dirsch, V.M. 1975. Classification of the acridomorphoid insects. Classey, Faringdon. 579 pp.
Holm, E. 1989. Environmental restraints and life strategies: a habitat templet matrix, pp. 197–208. In: M.N. Bruton (ed.) Alternative Life-History Styles of Animals. Perspectives in Vertebrate Science 6, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.
Horn, H.S. & D.I. Rubenstein. 1984. Behavioural adaptations and life history, pp. 279–298. In: J.R. Krebs & N.B. Davies (ed.) Behavioural Ecology, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.
Jago, N.D. 1973. The genesis and nature of tropical forest and savanna grasshopper faunas, with special reference to Africa, pp. 187–196. In: B.J. Meggers, E.S. Ayensu & D. Duckworth (ed.) Tropical Forest Systems in Africa and South America, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.
MacArthur, R. & E.O. Wilson. 1967. The theory of island biogeography. Princeton University Press, Princeton. 203 pp.
Pianka, E.R. 1978. On r-and K-selection. pp. 45–51. In: T.H. Clutton-Brock & R.H. Harvey (ed.) Readings in Sociobiology, W.H. Freeman, Reading.
Roff, D.A. 1986. The evolution of wing dimorphism in insects. Evolution 40: 1009–1020.
Skaife, S.H. 1953 & 1979. African insect life. C. Struik, Johannesburg. 279 pp.
Stuckenberg, B.R. 1962. The distribution of the montane palaeogenic element in the South African invertebrate fauna. Annals of the Cape Provincial Museums 2: 190–205.
Thornhill, R. & J. Alcock. 1983. The evolution of insect mating systems. Harvard University Press, Cambridge. 547 pp.
Uvarov, B. 1977. Grasshoppers and locusts. Centre for Overseas Pest Research, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 613 pp.
van Son, G. 1958. A locust mystery solved. African Wildlife 12: 27–28.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Alexander, A.J., van Staaden, M. (1989). Alternative sexual tactics in male bladder grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Pneumoridae). In: Bruton, M.N. (eds) Alternative Life-History Styles of Animals. Perspectives in vertebrate science, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2605-9_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2605-9_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7675-3
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2605-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive