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Patterns in body size and melanism along a latitudinal cline in the wingless grasshopper, Phaulacridium vittatum

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 13:26 authored by Harris, R, Peter McQuillanPeter McQuillan, Hughes, L
ABSTRACT Aim: We explore geographic variation in body size within the wingless grasshopper, Phaulacridium vittatum, along a latitudinal gradient, and ask whether melanism can help explain the existence of clinal variation. We test the hypotheses that both male and female grasshoppers will be larger and lighter in colour at lower latitudes, and that reflectance and size will be positively correlated, as predicted by biophysical theory. We then test the hypothesis that variability in size and reflectance is thermally driven, by assessing correlations with temperature and other climatic variables. Location Sixty-one populations were sampled along the east coast of Australia between latitudes 27.63 degree S and 43.10 degree S, at elevations ranging from 10 to 2000 m a.s.l. Methods: Average reflectance was used as a measure of melanism and femur length as an index of body size for 198 adult grasshoppers. Climate variables were generated by BIOCLIM for each collection locality. Hierarchical partitioning was used to identify those variables with the most independent influence on grasshopper size and reflectance. Results: Overall, there was no simple relationship between size and latitude in P. vittatum. Female body size decreased significantly with latitude, while male body size was largest at intermediate latitudes. Rainfall was the most important climatic variable associated with body size of both males and females. Female body size was also associated with radiation seasonality and male body size with reflectance. The reflectance of females was not correlated with latitude or body size, while male reflectance was significantly higher at intermediate latitudes and positively correlated with body size. Analyses of climate variables showed no significant association with male reflectance, while female reflectance was significantly related to the mean temperature of the driest quarter. Main conclusions: Geographic variation in the body size of the wingless grasshopper is best explained in terms of rainfall and radiation seasonality, rather than temperature. However, melanism is also a significant influence on body size in male grasshoppers, suggesting that thermal fitness does play a role in determining adaptive responses to local conditions in this sex.

History

Publication title

Journal of Biogeography

Volume

39

Issue

8

Pagination

1450-1461

ISSN

0305-0270

Department/School

School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Place of publication

9600 Garsington Rd, Oxford, England, Oxon, OX4 2DQ

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences

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