Brachaspis nivalis

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Brachaspis nivalis
Brachaspis nivalis 1184384.jpg

Not Threatened (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Caelifera
Family: Acrididae
Genus: Brachaspis
Species:
B. nivalis
Binomial name
Brachaspis nivalis
Hutton, 1898
Synonyms
  • Pezotettix nivalis (Hutton, 1897)
  • Pezotettix petricola (Hutton, 1897)
  • Pezotettix terrestris (Hutton 1897)
  • Brachaspis petricolus (Hutton 1898)
  • Brachaspis terristris (Hutton 1898)

Brachaspis nivalis, is an alpine short-horned grasshopper, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand.[1] Brachaspis nivalis is brachypterous and flightless, therefore they travel by hopping. They bask during the day so need open habitat.

Taxonomy/history[]

The species was first reported and described by Captain Frederick Wollaston Hutton from the Mount Cook area and Marlborough in 1897, but was put in the genus Pezotettix with some synonyms at that time.[2] In 1898, Hutton proposed a new genus "Brachaspis" (from its short and broad sternal shield) and put in B. nivalis some other collections.[3] In 1967, Bigelow revised Brachaspis and redefined three species.[4] This genus is monophyletic, nested within the New Zealand alpine grasshopper group.[1]

Brachaspis nivalis includes populations from Canterbury and Kaikoura and is morphologically distinguished from the other species (Brachaspis collinus & Brachaspis robustus).[4] Although hybridization between B. nivalis and B. collinus is suggested by ITS DNA sequence data in Mount Lyford where these species are sympatric, they are still considered different phylogenetic species on the basis of morphology, mtDNA (COI) sequence and geographical distribution.[5] Furthermore, the genetic sequence data (COI & ITS) suggests that B. nivalis comprises northern (St Arnaud (SA)) and southern (Fox Peak (FP)) subgroups.[5][6] Both mtDNA and nuclear markers of southern B. nivalis and B. robustus are very similar with evidence of hybridization between these two species.[5]

Type information[]

  • Pezotettix nivalis; unspecified primary type of species Brachaspis nivalis (Hutton, 1898). Hutton, F.W. (1897). The Grasshoppers and Locusts of New Zealand and the Kermadec Islands. Proceedings and Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 30: 135–150.
  • Locality: New Zealand, New Zealand South I: Canterbury, Mt. Cook region; 43°35′41″S 170°08′32″E / 43.594819°S 170.142260°E / -43.594819; 170.142260.[7]
  • Type specimen: Female; G. E. Mannering; the type is deposited in the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch.[2][7]

Habitat and distribution[]

Brachaspis nivalis is common in rocky montane areas with scattered plants (unlike B. collinus which are mostly found in tussock grass in the Nelson region).[8] The elevational range of B. nivalis is between 600 and 2000 metres above mean sea level.[6] The distribution of B. nivalis is widespread at high elevation in South Island New Zealand from Marlborough, Canterbury and north Otago.[8]

Morphology[]

Brachaspis nivalis is polymorphic and has cryptic coloration resembling the surrounding rocky habitat. The color morphs can be either grey or grey mottled brown.[6] Individuals with scarlet, purple or indigo-black flash-display of the hind legs have been collected at various sites (unlike the reddish brown hind legs in B. collinus).[5] Males are usually smaller than females. The known body length of males range between 15-24 mm, and the females between 16-40 mm.[6] The length of the hind femur of males are 8.5-12.5 mm, and the females are 11.5-17 mm.[3] Generally, the body size of B. nivalis is smaller than B. robustus.[8] Body size of adult B. nivalis increases with elevation, the largest individuals are found above 1200m asl and the smallest on stream edges at low elevation.[4]

Brachaspis nivalis with grey mottled brown body color and scarlet flash-display of the hind legs.
A mating pair of B. nivalis showing mounting behavior with the smaller male on top.

Diet[]

Brachaspis nivalis shows multiple and opportunistic feeding behavior.[9] It is a herbivore and prefers to eat the floral parts of plants.[9] It was observed to feed on plants such as Hebe spp., Epilobium spp., Celmisia spp., Poa spp., , , , Coprosma pumila, , ferns such as Austroblechnum penna-marina, mosses such as Polytrichum juniperinum and unidentified lichens.[9] In addition, ingestion of arthropods was found in adult B. nivalis, but it may be upon opportune contact.[9]

Life history[]

Males undergo six instars and females undergo seven instars to become adults.[10] First and second instars are suggested to be abundant during January and February.[10] The mating activity of B. nivalis extends throughout the life span of adults.[10] The maximum longevity of male adults are 21.8 months, and the for females are 26.1 months.[10]

Reproduction[]

Brachaspis nivalis shows multiple mating with a different non-bonded mate on each occasion.[10] When a male tries to mate, it often aggressively mounts a resisting female.[10] The male firmly grabs the female to prevent detachment by sudden disturbance.[10] Mating pairs have been observed from spring to autumn (September - April).[10] Gravid females were also observed from September to May except April, and number were highest in January and February.[10] Females show multiple oviposition.[11] Each egg pod may contain 20-30 eggs and first instars are observed in late December or early January.[10]

Conservation[]

Brachaspis nivalis was assessed to be not threatened (NT) level of NZTCS in 2014.[12] This status has not changed since the first assessment in 2010.[13] However, if further population genetic research suggests that the small, low-elevation forms are distinct from their montane relatives, the conservation status of the low-elevation forms has to be considered threatened by flooding events, land development, weed invasion and introduced predators.[8] The population abundance of B. nivalis correlates with soil temperature.[11] Therefore, the increase in mean temperature due to global warming may cause B. nivalis to lose suitable habitat in the future.[6]


References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Koot, Emily M.; Morgan-Richards, Mary; Trewick, Steven A. (2020). "An alpine grasshopper radiation older than the mountains, on Kā Tiritiri o te Moana (Southern Alps) of Aotearoa (New Zealand)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 147: 106783. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106783. ISSN 1055-7903. PMID 32135305.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Hutton, F.W. (1897). "The Grasshoppers and Locusts of New Zealand and the Kermadec Islands". Proceedings and Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 30: 135–150.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Hutton, F.W. (1898). "Note on the New Zealand Acrididae". Proceedings and Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 31: 44–50.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c Bigelow, R. S. (1967). The grasshoppers (Acrididae) of New Zealand; their taxonomy and distribution. Christchurch, N.Z.: University of Canterbury.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Trewick, S. A. (2001). "Identity of an endangered grasshopper (Acrididae: Brachaspis): Taxonomy, molecules and conservation". Conservation Genetics. 2 (3): 233–243. doi:10.1023/A:1012263717279. S2CID 21828397.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Koot, E. M. (2018). The ecology and evolution of New Zealand's endemic alpine grasshoppers (Thesis). Massey University. hdl:10179/14558.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Data for specimen record". orthoptera.speciesfile.org. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Trewick, S., and Morris, S. (2008). Diversity and taxonomic status of some New Zealand grasshoppers. Wellington, N.Z.: Science & Technical Pub., Dept. of Conservation. ISBN 978-0-478-14385-0. OCLC 946513197.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Watson, R. N. (1970). The feeding behaviour of alpine grasshoppers (Acrididae: Orthoptera) in the Craigieburn Range, Canterbury, New Zealand (Thesis). Lincoln College, University of Canterbury. hdl:10182/4000. OCLC 153670990.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j White, E.G. (1974). "A quantitative biology of three New Zealand alpine grasshopper species". New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 17 (2): 207–227. doi:10.1080/00288233.1974.10421001. ISSN 0028-8233.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b White, E. G., & Sedcole, J. R. (1991). "A 20-Year Record of Alpine Grasshopper Abundance, with Interpretations for Climate Change". New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 15 (2): 139–152.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Trewick, S, Johns, P., Hitchmough, R, Rolfe, J, & Stringer, I. Conservation status of New Zealand orthoptera, 2014. Wellington, N.Z.: Publishing Team, Dept. of Conservation. ISBN 978-0-478-15087-2. OCLC 990218289.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
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