Abstract
Dispersal is an important process determining species spread and survival in fragmented landscapes. However, information on the dispersal ability of woodland-associated invertebrate species is severely lacking. A study was conducted examining the ability of wood cricket (Nemobius sylvestris) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) to cross small watercourses and to orientate themselves towards habitat edges. A series of experiments were conducted where juvenile (i.e. nymph) and adult wood crickets were released and observed over time. The results of this investigation indicated that (i) nymphs and adults were equally able to swim across a small (≤35 cm) watercourse; and (ii) adult wood cricket were able to positively orientate themselves towards a mature woodland edge at a visual angle of ≥19°, when less than 50 m away. Together, this investigation suggests that these traits likely facilitate the ability of this species to disperse within fragmented wooded landscapes, however, further study is needed to strengthen the significance of these findings for this and similar species.
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Acknowledgments
We like to thank the Forestry Commission and the Scottish Forestry Trust for funding this research. Furthermore, we like to thank the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) for providing us with the opportunity to work in their woodlands, and Sallie Bailey (Forestry Commission), Keith Kirby (Natural England), Kevin Watts (Forest Research), and three anonymous referees for their input and comments on earlier drafts of this manuscript.
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Brouwers, N.C., Newton, A.C. The influence of barriers and orientation on the dispersal ability of wood cricket (Nemobius sylvestris) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). J Insect Conserv 14, 313–317 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-009-9256-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-009-9256-8