Anso J., Gasc Amandine, Bourguet E., Desutter-Grandcolas L., Jourdan Hervé. (2022). Crickets as indicators of ecological succession in tropical systems, New Caledonia. Biotropica, 54 (5), p. 1270-1284. ISSN 0006-3606.
Titre du document
Crickets as indicators of ecological succession in tropical systems, New Caledonia
Anso J., Gasc Amandine, Bourguet E., Desutter-Grandcolas L., Jourdan Hervé
Source
Biotropica, 2022,
54 (5), p. 1270-1284 ISSN 0006-3606
Crickets (Ensifera, Grylloidea) are not commonly used as ecological indicators in contrary to other Orthoptera (e.g., grasshoppers and katydids). However, they are sensitive to environmental changes and abundant in tropical regions. To evaluate whether crickets are relevant bioindicators of tropical ecosystems, we investigated cricket assemblages along a tropical ecological gradient. We collected crickets during both day and night in southern New Caledonia for three stages of ecological succession: open shrubland, preforest, and forest. Simultaneously, we measured several environmental variables, such as temperature and relative humidity, at each sampling site. Cricket species assemblages showed a clear response to ecological succession. The highest and lowest species richness and abundances of individuals were, respectively, found in forest and shrubland, with species specialized in each ecological stage revealing the conservation value of each of these stages. Similar results were found when considering only the part of cricket communities with the ability to acoustically communicate. This work is part of a larger research program about Neocaledonian crickets and contributes to support the use of acoustic approaches to monitor tropical environments. In conclusion, these findings highlight the potential value of crickets as an environmental indicator in tropical ecosystems. The results also contribute to the discussion of the intrinsic conservational value of shrublands in New Caledonia and similar ecotypes.
Plan de classement
Sciences du milieu [021]
;
Sciences du monde animal [080]
