Prospects for use of internet content in morphometric research (illustrated by femoral index of grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acridoidea))

Abstract

A novel method of morphometric studying of insects, a computer analysis of photos available in internet, is proposed. Using this method, in five species of acridid grasshoppers (Psophus stridulus, Stethophyma grossum, Chrysochraon dispar, Chorthippus apricarius, Gomphocerus sibiricus) femoral index, a morphometric feature used in description of life-forms of Orthopteran insects, has been determined. Sexual dimorphism of this feature was confirmed only for one species, Ps. stridulus. Our findings were compared with the published data. Generally, obtained data matches the data published in works of M. E. Chernyakhovsky (1970) and F. N. Pravdin (1978) but diff ers from those published by I. V. Stebaev (1970). Some errors in Stebaev’s work have been detected. Refs 10. Fig 1. Table 1.