Nutrient flux associated with the emergence of Quesada gigas Olivier (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in an urban ecosystem
Neotrop. entomol
;
40(4): 436-439, July-Aug. 2011.
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-599802
ABSTRACT
Large-bodied arthropods, such as cicadas, can be able to reallocate significant amounts of nutrients during adult emergence. Evidence suggests that Quesada gigas Olivier emergence constitutes an important nutrient flux from belowground to aboveground. The purpose of this study was to estimate the amount of nitrogen, proteins, and lipids resulting from the emergence of Q. gigas in an urban ecosystem in Central Brazil. Adult specimens captured from September to November 2006 were weighed and submitted to biochemical analysis. Population density was approximately 4,200 individuals per hectare. Mean individual dry mass was 1.03 g and contained 12.6 percent proteins, 8.4 percent lipids, and 5 percent nitrogen. Total biomass input from the species was 4.3 kg ha-1 y-1, with a consequent annual reallocation of approximately 545 g of proteins, 363 g of lipids, and 216 g of nitrogen per hectare. The data obtained suggest that Q. gigas emergence can cause significant translocation of nutrients from belowground to aboveground, and is therefore an important biological event for ecosystem function.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Proteins
/
Ecosystem
/
Lipid Metabolism
/
Hemiptera
/
Nitrogen
Type of study:
Risk factors
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Neotrop. entomol
Journal subject:
Biology
/
ZOOLOGIA
Year:
2011
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Univ Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul/BR
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