Ecological and faunistic review of orthoptera in the central part of the Volga-Kama region (Republic of Tatarstan)

Abstract

© 2015, Pleiades Publishing, Inc. In the central part of the Volga-Kama region (Republic of Tatarstan) 72 species from 6 families of Orthoptera have been found, 32 of them being recorded for the first time for the Tatarstan fauna. Xya variegata L. and Gampsocleis shelkovnicovae Ad. have never been previously reliably recorded for the Middle Volga area. The highest species diversity (80.5% of the total fauna of Tatarstan) was observed in the Eastern Trans-Kama region. The distribution of the orthopteran faunas in different phyto-ecological regions is consistent with natural zonation of the Republic of Tatarstan. The northern distribution boundaries of 31 species (43%) and the southern boundaries of a few species run within the Tatarstan territory or close to it. Eight rare species have been found, including Saga pedo (Pall.). Zoogeographic analysis of the Tatarstan fauna has shown that orthopterans belong to 9 arealogical complexes, with prevalence of trans-Palaearctic species (45%). The European–Central Asian, Central Asian, Mediterranean, and Euro-Caucasian complexes are also present. The landscape and biotopic distribution of Orthoptera in the region is discussed.