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The palatability of ferns and the ecology of two tropical forest grasshoppers [Hylopedetes nigrithorax, Homeomastax dentata, Costa Rica]

Fern-eating forest grasshoppers of two species were studied in Costa Rica. Hylopedetes nigrithorax lives in groups on particular ferns in light-gaps. Homeomastax dentata is solitary and found throughout the forest. The relative palatability of 13 species of fern was established, including species su...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biotropica 1983, Vol.15 (3), p.207-216
Main Authors: ROWELL, C. H. F, ROWELL-RAHIER, M, BRAKER, H. E, COOPER-DRIVER, G, GOMEZ P, L. D
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Fern-eating forest grasshoppers of two species were studied in Costa Rica. Hylopedetes nigrithorax lives in groups on particular ferns in light-gaps. Homeomastax dentata is solitary and found throughout the forest. The relative palatability of 13 species of fern was established, including species supporting Hylopedetes colonies, species on which Homeomastax was found, and controls. The palatability scores obtained with Homeomastax were relatively closely grouped and only the least palatable plant was significantly less preferred. The scores obtained from Hylopedetes were more widely spread, and the most palatable plants were significantly preferred. This suggests that Hylopedetes is more specialised in its feeding habits, Homeomastax more generalised. The rank order of palatability to the two grasshoppers was significantly positively correlated. The proximal basis of palatability differences seems to be chemical, but the content of phenols, nitrogen, tannins and fiber showed no correlation with palatability. The siting of Hylopedetes colonies appears to be determined by sunlight and fern palatability. Most colonies are found on the most palatable fern, but the longest lived colonies occur on a less preferred species which better survives successional change.
ISSN:0006-3606
1744-7429
DOI:10.2307/2387830