Sergeev M.G. 2018. [Assemblages of Orthoptera in the Shara-Nuur Depression, South Tuva, Russia] // Euroasian Entomological Journal. Vol.17. No.2: 81–86 [in Russian, with English summary].
Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Frunze Str. 11, Novosibirsk 630091 Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Str. 2, Novosibirsk 630090 Russia.
E-mail: mgs@fen.nsu.ru.
doi: 10.15298/euroasentj.17.2.01
ABSTRACT. The species diversity of Orthoptera and the main types of their assemblages are described for the small semi-desert Shara-Nuur Depression in the Uvs-Nuur Intermountain Basin (the southern part of Tuva in South Siberia) for the first time. 21 species have been found, namely 2 species of Tettigoniidae and 19 species of Acrididae, including several desert Orthoptera and some species associated with saline soils. The main clusters of the local orthopteran assemblages can be discriminated as follows: (1) the very simple orthopteran assemblage of the saline lake flood-plain with halophytes; (2) some rather complicated assemblages of the upper flood-plain of brook and lake terraces dominated by Chorthippus karelini (Uv.) and presence of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria (L.); (3) some assemblages of more or less dry habitats, especially on the piedmont plains and sandy hills. A unique variant of the local orthopteran assemblages is described: it is characterized by both the dominance of the migratory locust, and an association with the dry meadows dominated by Achnatherum splendens (Trin.) Nevski on the lake terraces. In several local habitats studied, orthopteran insects were absent.
KEY WORDS: Orthoptera, assemblage, Tuva, Shara Lake, biodiversity, abundance, classification, Migratory locust.