I am interested in the ecology and evolution of insects. I came to New Zealand in 2011 to study for an undergraduate degree in Zoology, and then majored in ecology for my Master’s degree. For my MSc research I studied the endemic New Zealand stick insect Clitarchus hookeri, in which I compared the chemical and morphological traits that can be involved in male choice. I used captive specimens to compare responses among individuals from sexual and asexual populations.

During my Ph.D. project that I investigated the mechanisms enabling co-occurrence of three sympatric, endemic New Zealand alpine grasshopper species, Sigaus nivalis, Sigaus australis and Siguas nitidus.I examined their species- and sex-specific feeding patterns, chemical and morphological adaptations to their food, and their sexual communication systems.

New Zealand’s indigenous grasslands are home to 16 endemic grasshopper species. At some high elevation locations four grasshopper species co-occur at high densities. These alpine grasshoppers occur in open tussock and herbfields; areas that are dominated by native plant species. Endemic grasshoppers are known to have significant impact on the grassland vegetation above 1200m and might be important determinants of community composition as ecosystem architects. This is because although these grasshoppers are dietary generalists, they show preference for some endemic plant species that have low productivity (long-lived and slow growing). The impact of grasshopper grazing on the endemic alpine plants represents an important ecological interaction in alpine grasslands and understanding this plant-insect interaction is therefore important in the conservation and sustainable management of these systems. 

Variation in mandibular traits between Brachaspis nivalis (left), Sigaus australis (middle) and Paprides nitidus (right). Difference in teeth length and melanized area may reflect adaptation to plants that have different size and toughness.

Photos of chemo-receptive sensilla (sensory organs) on alpine grasshoppers’ antennae. Five morphological types found: one responsible for taste reception and four other types responsible for smell reception.

Academic Publications

Nakano M, Park KC, Trewick SA, Morgan-Ricahrds M. 2024. Food plant odor perception in three sympatric alpine grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Catantopinae) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Chemoecology 34: 71–8

Nakano M, Morgan-Richards M, Clavijo-McCormick A, Trewick SA. 2022. Abundance and distribution of antennal sensilla on males and females of three sympatric species of alpine grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Catantopinae) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Zoomorphology 142: 51–62

Nakano M, Morgan-Richards M, Trewick SA, Clavijo McCormick A. 2022. Chemical ecology and olfactory in short-horned grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Journal of Chemical Ecology 48: 121–140

Nakano M, Morgan-Richards M, Godfrey AJR, Clavijo McCormick A. 2019. Parthenogenetic females of the stick insect Clitarchus hookeri maintain sexual traits. Insects 10, 202; doi:10.3390/insects10070202

Qualifications

PhD 2024 Food plants and chemical ecology of sympatric species of endemic New Zealand alpine grasshoppers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

MSc 2018 Male mate choice in the stick insect Clitarchus hookeri : sexual vs. parthenogenetic females : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand.

Link
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mari-Nakano