Spatial analyses of two color polymorphisms in an alpine grasshopper reveal a role of small-scale heterogeneity.

ABSTRACT: Discrete color polymorphisms represent a fascinating aspect of intraspecific diversity. Color morph ratios often vary clinally, but in some cases, there are no marked clines and mixes of different morphs occur at appreciable frequencies in most populations. This poses the questions of how polymorphisms are maintained. We here study the spatial and temporal distribution of a very conspicuous color polymorphism in the club-legged grasshopper Gomphocerus sibiricus. The species occurs in a green and a nongreen (predominately brown) morph, a green-brown polymorphism that is common among Orthopteran insects. We sampled color morph ratios at 42 sites across the alpine range of the species and related color morph ratios to local habitat parameters and climatic conditions. Green morphs occur

SUBMITTER: Dieker P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6106198 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature