''Chorthippus lacustris,'' the Epirus dancing grasshopper, is a species of

grasshopper Grasshoppers are a group of insects belonging to the suborder Caelifera. They are among what is possibly the most ancient living group of chewing herbivorous insects, dating back to the early Triassic around 250 million years ago. Grasshopp ...

belonging to the genus ''

Chorthippus ''Chorthippus'' is a large genus of acridid grasshoppers with around 230 described species. The genus may be subdivided into subgenera including: ''Altichorthippus'', ''Chorthippus'' and ''Glyptobothrus'', with other species not placed. Spec ...

''. This species is native to northwest Greece and is critically endangered.

Habitat

This species lives in wet temporary

grasslands A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur natural ...

and needs high soil humidity. The Epirus dancing grasshopper's habitat is currently threatened mainly by the urbanization of northwest Greece. Only five populations of this species remain in the world.

Conservation

The Epirus dancing grasshopper is currently listed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list and is on the verge of extinction. There are five remnant known populations. Deforestation and urbanization has caused this species to create

habitat fragmentation Habitat fragmentation describes the emergence of discontinuities (fragmentation) in an organism's preferred environment (habitat), causing population fragmentation and ecosystem decay. Causes of habitat fragmentation include geological processes ...

which makes it difficult for separate populations to reproduce with each other. These species are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss due to their narrow ecological niche. Drainage, intensive cattle grazing and land conversion to agricultural fields are other threats the grasshopper faces. , it lived in three protected areas of the

Natura 2000 network Natura 2000 is a network of nature protection areas in the territory of the European Union. It is made up of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas designated under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, respectively ...

in Epirus; no conservation efforts were being made to protect the species there.

References

Bibliography

* * * * {{Taxonbar, from=Q10451345 lacustris Fauna of Greece Insects described in 1815