MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF GRASSHOPPERS IN THE MALAKAND REGION, PAKISTAN
Main Article Content
Keywords
Grasshopper Diversity, Morphological Identification, Pakistan, Malakand Region.
Abstract
This study provides a detailed morphological identification of 31 grasshopper species from the Malakand region of Pakistan, focusing on their ecological roles, diversity, and interspecies relationships. Using a range of morphological traits, including body size, wing shape, antenna length, and leg structure, we identified species from the family Acrididae and established key differences in their physical characteristics. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H' = 1.5) indicated moderate species diversity, suggesting a balanced yet diverse grasshopper community in the region. Species such as Acrida exaltata, Acrida gigantea, and Phlaeoba infumata were found to dominate the local habitats. Further analysis revealed that grasshopper diversity correlates significantly with plant diversity, emphasizing the importance of plant species in sustaining grasshopper populations. The study also identified seasonal variations in species abundance and distribution, linking these patterns to climatic factors. Overall, the research highlights the ecological significance of grasshoppers as herbivores, decomposers, and prey for predators, contributing to ecosystem stability. The findings underscore the need for continued ecological studies, particularly molecular analyses, to further explore grasshopper phylogeny and behavioural ecology in the Malakand region.
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Abdul Aziz
Department of Zoology, University of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Munawar Saleem Ahmad
Department of Zoology, University of Swabi,
Riffat Sultana
Department of Zoology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan
Kausar Saeed
Department of Zoology, University of Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Israr Alam
Department of Zoology, University of Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Saddam Hussain
6Email: | Department of Zoology, University of Swabi,