Formation Patterns of Acridid Communities in Urban Landscapes of Turkmenistan

Acridid communities of urbanized landscapes in Turkmenistan are described for the first time. General peculiarities of formation of acridid communities in urban landscapes are studying for the desert zone. The structure of the communities is determined by soil conditions, types of plant cover and the level of anthropogenic impact on the different urban biotopes. Acridid communities of different urban biotopes are distinguished one from the other by taxonomic and ecological diversity. Many acridid species are associated with tugai (riparian woodlands) and Kopetdag foothills and plain. Special conditions of urban landscapes are promoting the penetration of some acridids, usually described as desert species.

Keywords: acridid communities, urban landscape, desert zone, abundance, tugai, life form, positive phototaxis.