Comparative thermal adaptation in cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) inhabiting Mediterranean ecosystems

par SANBORN Allen F., PHILLIPS Polly K., HEATH James E. & HEATH Maxine S., 2011
Article publié dans le Journal of Thermal Biology, 36 (2) : 150–155

Abstract

The thermal responses of cicadas inhabiting the Mediterranean ecosystems in Europe, North America, South Africa, and Australia are investigated. A total of 37 species and two subspecies from 17 genera representing eight tribes and three subfamilies of cicadas are investigated. The analysis includes species that are restricted to the Mediterranean ecosystem as well as those which also inhabit additional environments. The data suggest that cicadas adapt to the climate type regardless of particular types of plants within the various Mediterranean communities. Similarly, cicada thermal responses are independent of body size or taxonomic affinities. There is a wider range of body temperatures for the maximum voluntary tolerance temperature than for heat torpor or minimum flight temperatures. This diversity seems to be determined by the subdivision of the habitat used and the behavior of the species. All species possess relatively elevated heat torpor temperatures adapting to the general thermal characteristics of the Mediterranean ecosystem. The data suggest that cicadas adapt to the Mediterranean climate type regardless of the diversity of particular types of plants within the various communities, of body size or of taxonomic position.
Keywords

• Thermal adaptation; Thermal response; Cicada; Mediterranean ecosystem

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