S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 59. (Budapest, 1998)
ecofaunistical survey of the Orthoptera fauna and assemblages was made until now. The aim of our study was a) to explore the Orthoptera fauna and assemblages along a S-N transect of the ca. 100 km long range; b) to analyse the horizontal and vertical distribution and frequency of the species: c) to evaluate characteristic species available for bioindication; d) to investigate the relationship between the biogeographically valuable species and nature protection; e) to survey the connections between the Orthoptera fauna of the S-Z Mts and its surrounding districts. MATERIAL AND METHODS Orthoptera material was collected systematically mostly during August and September of 1997, but these basic data (Table 1) were supplemented with some earlier collections in the southern (Hungarian) part of the area by the senior author to give a more complete faunistical survey (Table 2). Samples were taken mainly by sweepnet and some by beating method combined with singling. Based on our earlier experiences, the overwhelming majority of the specimens were identified mostly in the field and only a small part of the material was - after rearing and identification - preserved partly prepared/pinned and partly as wet material in the insect collections of the Institute for Forest Ecology of the Slovakian Academy of Sciences (Zvolen, Slovakia) and of the Institute for Plant Protection of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Budapest, Hungary). The essential Orthoptera material was collected in 1997 from 16 localities - Nos 1-7. from Hungary, Nos 8-14 from Slovakia - within these were 5 xeric, 9 mesic and 2 humid habitats (Fig. 1). The overwhelming majority of the habitats investigated were mesic, which should reflect the general ecological situation. Collections were made in plots with ca. 2 ha for one sampling (exclusively the Tokaj Hill /L/, Füzér 16.1 and Pusté Pole /13./ with 15-20 ha each) by 3 persons for 1 hour. To give a general impression about the population density we have used a semiquantitative assessment (l=less than 3 specimens, 2=3-10 specimens, 3=11-100 specimens, 4=more than 100 specimens/locality). As a basis for nomenclature and systematics Harz's (1969, 1975) works were considered. AREA INVESTIGATED The (Slovakian) Slanské Vrchy + (the Hungarian) Zempléni hegység (the older Hungarian name: Eperjes - Tokaji Hegység (= Presov - Tokaj Mts Range) was considered here as one biogeographical unit, which seemed convenient for the S-N transect investigation. This relatively narrow range is localised in the north-eastern part of the Carpathian Basin (Central Europe) and it is about 100 km long with an average breadth of 10-22 km bordered by river valleys of Hernád (Hornád) on the west and by Topava Ondava - Bodrog on the east sides (Fig. 1). The mostly volcanic range is covered (in 85% in the Southern /Hungarian/ and even in higher % in the northern /Slovakian/ part) by Quercetum petreae-cerris (400-600 m), Quercetum petreae - Carpinetum (600-700 m) and Aconito-Fagetwn (above 700 m) forests. Spruce forests at higher elevations have been planted secondarily.