Significance of haemolymph protein patterns in biosystematic studies of some grouse locusts (Tetrigidae: Orthoptera)

Abstract

The grouse locusts (Tetrigidae) represent a group of small sized Caeliferan Orthoptera. These are considered to be primitive orthopterans related to Tridactylids on one hand to Acridids on the other. This family is represented in Indian subcontinent by about 90 species belonging to 35 genera. In the present study haemolymph protein profiles from 7 species from this family have been studied as an additional parameter to understand interrelationship amongst them. It is noted that the species Puratettix dorsifer and Euparat euix personatus belonging to the same subfamily Tetriginae show remarkable similarity in the haemolymph protein profile, thus justifying their e1assical taxonomical grouping. In case of subfamily Scelirneninae, however, of the 4 species studied 3 species viz Eucriotettix flaoopictus, Crioieuix latijrons and Thoradont a pruthii show a marked similarity, however Eucriotett ix harpaqo shows a pattern closer to that observed in the subfamily Cladonotinae. This implies that though by classical taxonomic criteria the 4 species are close to each other this may not be a very natural grouping.From this observation it becomes clear that help from additional parameters like protein profile studies, immunochcrnical studies, cytogenetic analysis, ctc will prove to be very valuable for the real understanding of phylogenetic interrelations and evolution of this family in particular and the status of grouse locusts vis-a-vis the orthopteran insects in general.

Genetic variability of the tropical grasshopperPoecilocerus bufoniusin Saudi Arabia

“…In the present study, the genetic variations are generally greater among the distant populations than that among the closer ones. Paranjape et al (1987) investigated the protein electrophoreses of the haemolymph of Orthoptera and approved the significance of their patterns in biosystematics of this order. In the present study, the number of protein bands was also efficient in discriminating the different studied populations and therefore they were varied among populations.…”