Diversity and distribution of grasshopper species in Kannur district, Kerala: A comprehensive survey

Abstract

A study on grasshopper diversity was conducted across three distinct sites in the Kannur district of Kerala: Kavvayi Island, Brennen College Campus, and Poovatharkund Waterfalls in Tholambra, over a period of six months. This study identified a total of 22 grasshopper species spanning 19 genera and four families. Acrididae family was the most represented with 14 species, followed by Pyrgomorphidae with 4 species, Tettigoniidae with 3 species, and Tetrigidae with 1 species. Notably, the endemic species Chitaura indica was recorded. Species richness was highest in Kavvayi Island with 18 species, followed by Poovatharkund Waterfalls with 16 species, and Brennen College Campus with 15 species. The Shannon diversity index values further supported these findings, with Kavvayi Island exhibiting the highest diversity (H=2.77), followed by Poovatharkund Waterfalls (H=2.61), and Brennen College Campus (H=2.51).