Radiation of Saltatoria species in montane areas of East Africa (Insecta: Orthoptera)

• Applicant: Dr. Claudia Hemp
• Subject Area: Evolution and Systematics of Plants and Fungi
• Term: from 2002 to 2005
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5361107

Studies on the biogeography of selected Saltatoria in East Africa may help to understand the mechanisms of mode and time of speciation. Genera such as Parepistaurus, Chromothericles, Aerotegmina, Phlesirtes, Horatosphaga, Parasphena, Ixalidium or Rhainopomma (Altiusambilla), adapted to montane areas, are represented by stenoecious, mostly flightless species on nowadays isolated high mountains and plateaus of East Africa. Evolution and migration of these taxa required special environments. Their distribution pattern and occurrence provides information about the climatic conditions which must have prevailed in earlier times. Special focus will be laid on the influence of altitude on the speciation of the flightless genus Phlesirtes. Mt. Kilimanjaro alone harbours six different species adapted to certain altitudes and habitats. Moreover, further Phlesirtes species occur in montane regions of the Eastern Arc Mts. as well as in montane areas of central East Africa. Studies on the morphology, habitat demands, latitudinal and altitudinal distribution patterns of members of this genus will exceptionally well illuminate modes of speciation and time required for these processes in this insect group.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1127: Radiations - Origins of Biological Diversity