Crocothemis Erythraea Research Articles

Molecular identification of some species of dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera) using COXI gene and DNA barcodes from Basrah Province, Southern Iraq

The taxonomy of the Odonata group is still poorly understood; therefore, molecular identification has been developed to address the shortcomings of traditional taxonomy, such as misidentification and inconsistencies in reference databases. The mtCOXI gene has been used in animal barcoding studies because of its wide range of phylogenetic signals. Odonata, a diverse group of aquatic insects, has been studied at the molecular level to understand the evolutionary relationships between their species and global species. In the current study in Basrah Province, Iraq, we extracted mitochondrial DNA from adult and nymph Dragonflies and designed species-specific primers to distinguish some of the endemic species at the molecular level. This study identified five species, Crocothemis erythraea, Diplacodes trivialis, Orthetrum sabina, Trithemis annulata and Hemianax ephippiger. The DNA sequences were deposited in the NCBI database for the first time. The nucleotide sequences of the mtCOXI genes were analyzed via BLAST. The similarity results ranged from 91.8% to 100%, indicating related species on the basis of the branches of the phylogenetic tree. The molecular identity of the selected species was confirmed, and DNA barcodes for Anisoptera species from Basrah Province were successfully developed and documented in GenBank and IBIN.

Diversity and distribution of Dragonfly in District Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan

The present research was organized with the objective to explore the diversity and distribution of dragonfly (Odonata; Insecta) in district Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan. The capturing was done during 2019 from 16 chosen localities of all four tehsils including Sialkot, Sambrial, Daska and Pasroor. Total of 185 specimens of dragonfly was captured with the help of sweep nets and handpicking. Identified specimens up to species level and then preserved. There are 10 species of dragonfly belonging to 7 genera and 2 families pinpointed from collected data. Pantala flavescens, Crocothemis erythraea, Crocothemis survilia, Neurothemis fluctuans, Acisoma panorpoids, Acisoma variegatum, Orthetrum pruinosum, Orthetrum sabina which comes under Pantala, Crocothemis, Ascisoma, Neurorothemis and Orthetrum genera of family Libellulidae. The prevailing 2 species, Anax indicus and Hemianax ephippiger come under Anax and Hemianax genera of family Aeshnidae. Family Libellulidae exceptionally commanding over family Aeshnidae. Head Marala is the most plentiful point because 12.3% of specimens were assembled and Qila Tek Singh is least plentiful point with 4.1% of total specimen assemblage. Pantala flavescens is the most bountiful species with 22.2% found nearly in all the localities and Orthetrum sabina is least bountiful species with just 3.8%. The Simpson species index is 0.8707 which far from 0 and nearer to 1 and Shannon-Weinberg diversity index is 2.1353 representing great diversity. The species richness 0.9274. Dragonfly is an agile flier, playing some indispensable role as a biological control agent and are good bio-indicators. After this research, it is concluded that Sialkot is rich with dragonfly diversity. Keywords: Aeshnidae; Bioindicators; Dragonfly; Libellulidae; Sambrial; Head Marala; Pantala flavescens http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2021.100103

Does range expansion modify trait covariation? A study of a northward expanding dragonfly.

The adaptive value of correlations among phenotypic traits depends on the prevailing environmental conditions. Differences in selection pressures during species range expansions may therefore shape phenotypic integration. In this study, we assessed variation in behavioral and morphological traits, as well as their covariations, in replicated southern and northern European populations of the northward expanding dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea. Larvae from northern populations were, on average, darker in color, and therefore, better camouflaged than larvae from southern populations. However, there was no difference in activity level. Darkness and activity were positively correlated in larvae from northern populations, whereas this trait covariation was missing in southern populations. This suggests theemergence of alternative strategies in time-limited northern populations, a higher activity level that required better camouflage through darker coloration, while less active larvae benefited from an energy-saving strategy by reducing the investment in costly traits, such as body darkness. We further found that larger larvae emerged into larger adults, with a higher investment in flight morphology. Our findings imply that phenotypic integration is associated with the northward range shift, potentially differentially shaping fitness consequences, and ecological interactions in southern versus northern populations.

Genetic and environmental contributions to the impact of a range-expanding predator on aquatic ecosystems.

Global change is altering biodiversity locally and globally and subsequently affecting the dynamics of communities and ecosystems. Biodiversity can be impacted both at the interspecific (i.e., species composition of communities) and at the intraspecific (evolutionary modification of phenotypic traits through selection or plasticity) levels. Changes in intraspecific diversity have been demonstrated to generate evolutionary feedbacks acting on ecological dynamics. Quantifying the role of intraspecific trait variation, global change and their interactions on ecological dynamics is of utmost importance. Here, we used the range-expanding dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea as a model species to test the relative effects of intraspecific trait variation in larvae and thermal conditions on the dynamics of freshwater community and ecosystem functioning. Using experimental mesocosms, we manipulated intraspecific trait variation arising from genetic (G), early developmental environment (EE ) and late developmental environment (EL ) contributions in a full factorial design. We showed that intraspecific trait variation arising from genetic effects has the strongest consequences on community and ecosystem dynamics relative to trait variation driven by the thermal environment (EE and EL ). Importantly, the ecological effects of trait variation due to genetic effects were partly modulated by thermal conditions (G×EL , and to a lesser extent G×EE interactions) and varied among ecological response variables. For instance, the strongest G×EL effects were observed on primary productivity and zooplankton dynamics. Trait variation driven by plasticity related to early or late developmental environments has an overall weak effect on ecological dynamics. Intraspecific trait variation induced by genetic effects can affect ecological dynamics (evo-to-eco dynamics) more strongly than variation induced by the developmental environment. However, they likely interact to modulate the structure of communities and the functioning of ecosystems, highlighting the strong context (environmental) dependency of evo-to-eco dynamics.

Genetic consequences of range expansions along several fronts inCrocothemis erythraea

Global warming has altered the ranges of many species, especially those of insects and other ectotherms that are particularly susceptible to rising temperatures. Four decades ago, the dragonfly Cro...

Odonata of Wadi Bouarroug (northeastern Algeria), and environmental determinants of their distribution

The present paper describes odonates recorded over an extended period at wadi Bouarroug, south of lake Mellah, in the national reserve of Brabtia (North-east Algeria). In all, 42 weekly visits were made to four stations at wadi Bouarroug between March 2015 and February 2016. A total of 19 species of odonates comprising seven families (Calopterygidae, Lestidae, Plactycnemidae, Coenagrionidae, Gomphidae, Aeshnidae, Libellulidae) was recorded. Among the 19 species, autochthonous status was confirmed for 12 species. Two Maghrebian endemics species, Platycnemis subdilatata, Gomphus lucasii (“Data Deficient” species in the Mediterranean Red-List) were recorded. In the latest check-list of the odonates fauna of wadi Bouarroug, 11 species were reported,during 1993 and 1994. Eight species have been recently added ( Lestes virens, Erythromma lindinii, Erythromma viridulu, Paragomphus geneii, Onychogomphus uncatus, Crocothemis erythraea, Trithemis arteriosa, Trithemis annulata ) of which Paragomphus genei was recorded for the first time in the reserve of Brabtia in 2014 and its autochthonous status is confirmed at wadi Bouarroug from June 2015. Species richness along the wadi Bouarroug is positively correlated with density of riverine vegetation and with weak to moderate water flow during all the year. By contrast, species richness varies negatively with habitat fragmentation and the destruction caused by urbanization and pollution. As a result of this study, we do not propose any change of the Red List of the IUCN classification of the recorded species recorded at wadi Bouarroug. However, the presence of some taxa like Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis and Para gomphus geneii at wadi Bouarroug, testifies to the persistence of high-quality natural environments which are able to still support an important diversity of aquatic species.

Indirect Interactions Limit the Efficiency of Odonata as Natural Control Agents for Mosquito Larvae

Odonate nymphs are voracious predators and may be useful natural control agents. However, odonates are normally found in complex guilds with a high degree of conspecific and inter specific predation that may reduce their overall predation efficiency. The present study investigates whether indirect interactions, mediated via chemical predation signals, inhibit the consumption of mosquito larvae by two common odonates: Crocothemis erythraea and Ischnura evansi. Our results show that the predation rate of C. erythraea is reduced by chemical cues from Anax imperator, but the response of I. evansi to C. erythraea was statistically non-significant. This study shows that intra-guild interactions may limit the effectiveness of odonates as predators of mosquitoes.

Mosquito larvae change their feeding behavior in response to kairomones from some predators.

The efficacy of using predators for the biological control of mosquito disease vectors will be reduced if mosquito larvae respond to predator presence. The larvae of two mosquito species were investigated to study whether they responded to predator kairomones by increasing surface filter-feeding, which is a less active and thus less risky feeding strategy than bottom feeding. Culex quinquefasciatus Say is normally found in highly polluted water, where it will have little contact with predators. Except for some third instars, its larvae showed no response to four different types of predators. Culiseta longiareolata Macquart, living in rain-filled rock pools, is frequently attacked by a range of predators. All instars tested (second, third, and fourth instars) strongly responded to chemicals from dragonfly nymphs (Crocothemis erythraea Brullé), damselfly nymphs (Ischnura evansi Morton), and the fish Aphanius dispar Ruppel. However, they did not respond to final-instar water scorpions (Nepa cinerea L.), which would not feed on the mosquito larvae. Second- and third-instar Cs. longiareolata produced the same response to chopped up mosquito larvae as they did to dragonfly nymphs, but fourth instars produced a significantly stronger response to dragonfly nymphs-both those unfed and those fed in situ. Thus, Cs. longiareolata not only identified different predators and responded accordingly, but also responded to conspecific alarm pheromones. Cx quinquefasciatus showed little response to predators or to alarm pheromones from damaged conspecific larvae.

Thermal adaptation affects interactions between a range‐expanding and a native odonate species

Summary1. Increasing temperature and invading species may interact in their effects on communities. In this study, we investigated how rising temperatures alter larval interactions between a naturally range‐expanding dragonfly,Crocothemis erythraea, and a native northern European species,Leucorrhinia dubia. Initial studies revealed thatC. erythraeagrow up to 3.5 times faster thanL. dubiaat temperatures above 16 °C. As a result, we hypothesised that divergent temperature responses would lead to rapid size differences between coexisting larvae and, consequently, to asymmetric intraguild predation at higher ambient temperatures.2. Mortality and growth rates were measured in interaction treatments (with both species present) and non‐interaction controls (one species present) at four different temperature regimes: at an ambient temperature representative of central Germany, where both species overlap in distribution, and at temperatures increased by 2, 4 and 6 °C.3. The mortality ofC. erythraeadid not differ between treatment and control. In contrast, mortality ofL. dubiaremained similar over all temperatures in the controls, but increased with temperature in the presence of the other species and was significantly higher there than in the controls. We concluded thatL. dubiasuffered asymmetric intraguild predation, particularly at increased temperature. Reduced growth rate ofL. dubiain the interaction treatment at higher temperatures also suggested asymmetric competition for prey in the first phase of the experiment.4. The results imply that the range expansion ofC. erythraeamay cause reduction in population size of syntopicL. dubiawhen temperature rises by more than 2 °C. The consequences for future range patterns, as well as other factors that may influence the interaction in nature, are discussed.

Study the prey preference of some aquatic insects for different snails under the laboratory conditions

The study of five aquatic insects (predators), adults of two hemipterous species, Limnogeton fieberi Mayr, Sphaerodema urinator Duf., and nymphs of three Odonatous species, Anax imperator Leach, Crocothemis erythraea Brulle and Ischnura pumilio Charp. on four species of snails (preys) exist in its natural habitat at Qena, Bulinus truncates Audouin, Biomphalaria alexandrina Ehrenb, Cleopatra bulimoides Olivier and Melanoides tuberculata Muller. in non choice experiment under laboratory conditions, the result indicated that the first preference for attack to all predators was directed towards B. truncates. And the last preference was B. alexandrina. Except, L. fieberi, the last preference was C. bulimoides.

When south goes north: Mediterranean dragonflies (Odonata) conquer Flanders (North-Belgium)

Since 1980, eight southern dragonfly species have been regularly recorded in Flanders. They show a significant increase in relative abundance, relative area as well as indications of reproduction since the beginning of the nineties, with peak occurrence mainly in the 1995–1999 period. Since 2000, numbers are lower but more species were simultaneously present. Three species, Lestes barbarus, Crocothemis erythraea and Sympetrum fonscolombii, show a combination of earlier arrival, earlier reproduction with a higher frequency and higher maximum ranges and can be considered asstable populations in Flanders. All other southern species show in general a later arrival, only one confirmed or probable reproduction and have much lower maximum ranges. Two other species, reaching their northern limit of distribution in Flanders, Erythromma viridulum and E. lindenii have clearly expanded their relative area since the eighties. Their relative abundance also increased although this shows more fluctuations.

Monitoring of Odonata in Britain and possible insights into climate change

Th e history of recording and monitoring of Odonata in Britain is briefl y described. Results are then presented which suggest that the country’s Odonata fauna is currently in a period of fl ux, in a manner consistent with the actions of a high-level regulatory factor such as climate change. Th e ranges of many resident species are shifting. Leucorrhinia dubia has recently been lost from southern England, but many species are presently expanding their ranges to the north and west, some (such as Aeshna mixta and Anax imperator) with considerable speed. In addition to these changes, a number of ‘southern’ species have started to appear in Britain for the very fi rst time. Th ese include Lestes barbarus, Erythromma viridulum (which has now become a locally-common resident in southeast England), Anax parthenope and Crocothemis erythraea. In addition to these distributional changes, some recent trends in fl ight times are also discussed. Evidence indicates that many species are now emerging signifi cantly earlier than in the past, though trends relating to the end of the fl ight period are less clear cut.

Ecology of the dragonflies at the westernmost spot of Africa, the island of Santo Antão, Cape Verde (Odonata)

Abstract From 12 to 25 August 2009, the odonate fauna of Santo Antao, Cape Verde was surveyed by recording adults and collecting larvae and exuviae at 26 localities, mostly situated in the northwest of the island. Based on the results of this survey and literature data on the Cape Verdes it appears that the resident odonate fauna consists of only five species, namely Anax imperator, Crocothemis erythraea, Orthetrum trin- acria, Trithemis annulata and Zygonyx torridus. Three additional species, Anax ephippiger and Pantala flavescens, which were recorded as single adults in this study, and Sympetrum fonscolombii, which was previously recorded in another study, represent seasonal invaders that do not establish permanent populations on the island. Surprisingly, there is no zygopteran species recorded from the island, although a few occur on the neighbouring islands. The breeding habitats of the resident odonates on the island comprise short perennial stream sections in large wadi beds (‘ribeiras’) that are in...

Effects of male harassment on females' oviposition behaviour in Libellulidae (Odonata)

Abstract I investigated whether the level of male harassment affects females’ ovipositionbehaviour, such that females oviposit unguarded under suboptimal conditionsand/or vary oviposition duration, dip number, dip frequency or number of oviposi-tion site changes. The study species were the libellulids Crocothemis erythraea , Orthetrum chrysostigma , Pantala flavescens , Sympetrum fonscolombii , Trithemisannulata and T. kirbyi ardens . Only a few ovipositions under suboptimal conditionswere observed and females hovered lower under high male harassment. However,in only a few species studied oviposition behaviour differed with the level ofharassment. No evidence for a special female strategy to avoid the negative effectsof males’ harassment was found. Due to the great intraspecific variability females seemed to be able to react flexibly to current conditions, such as changing maledensity and the level of male harassment. Introduction Density has an important influence on the behaviour of mature male libellulids atreproduction sites (Pezalla 1979). High density intensifies male-male competitionso that males have a lower chance to mate and face higher costs due to fights(Corbet 1999: 375). For males, several behavioural parameters are known to changeunder high densities, for example: (1) a reduction in territorial size (Alcock 1998),(2) a decreasing duration of territorial occupancy (Sherman 1983), (3) shortercourtship (Martens 1996), (4) shorter (Miller 1982) or longer (Rehfeldt 1989) co-pulation, and (5) increased aggressive behaviour in some species (Pajunen 1966;Wolf & Waltz 1984; Corbet 1999: 657). As most of the literature on odonate mating patterns has focused on males, whilefemales were often ignored or just considered as passive partners (Fincke et al.1997), less is known about possible effects of multiple mating and male harassmentduring oviposition under high male density on females. Multiple mating causesbenefits and costs for females. Whereas males can increase their reproductive success

Habitats of Odonata in the Białowieża Forest and its surroundings (Poland)

From 1997 to 1999, we found 48 Odonata species in the Bialowieza Forest and its surroundings (Poland). We attribute the high number of species in the mainly forested study area to the extensive river network, which is shaped by a mostly natural water regime including many natural pools, and to the abundance of small-scale sandpits bearing water bodies in various stages of succession. The Bialowieza Forest is, until now, the northernmost place of a reproduction of Crocothemis erythraea (52°39’ N, 23°35’ E).

Dragonfly (Odonata) distribution patterns in urban and forest landscapes, and recommendations for riparian management

Odonata species are particularly sensitive to human disturbances. Their diversity relative to four landscape types (plantation forest, parkland, residential area, industrial area) along a small river (the Dorpspruit) that runs through Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, is described. Individual species-environment relations were investigated using the multivariate analysis package CANOCO. Four biotope types were identified and characterised. The analysis also illustrated the extent to which the urban, suburban and forestry environments affected the Odonata species. Multispecies assemblages were good environmental indicators. Individual indicator species included Chlorolestes tessellatus and Crocothemis erythraea. Chlorolestes tessellatus is a good indicator of the minimal width (> 30 m) of the indigenous strip of riparian vegetation between the stream edge and commercial plantations. This study suggests that there should be a riparian strip between the water's edge and plantation trees of at least 20 m (preferably 30 m). This finding is integrated with earlier ones to arrive at a general conservation management recommendation, at least for dragonflies, for rivers in South Africa.

Copulation, Oviposition Site Selection and Predation Risk in the Dragonfly Species Crocothemis erythraea (Odonata: Libellulidae)

In the libellulid dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea (Brulle 1832), FF show multiple matings with several MM during one visit of the reproductive site. They oviposite at various locations of the water. Pairs which are harassed by other MM during copulation fly off in the copulation wheel, and they copulate for a longer period of time before starting oviposition at another site. Escape flights increase the reproductive success of the M by extending the duration of the subsequent oviposition. Multiple matings occur when ovipositing FF are harassed by other MM which patroll above the oviposition site. At high M densities, FF copulate more often than at low densities. Because of the frequent changes of site during multiple matings, the F exposes herself to predator (frog) attacks during oviposition. Female behaviour for avoiding further copulations after harassment by MM is discussed as an anti-predator defense.

Site-specific mate-finding strategies and oviposition behavior inCrocothemis erythraea (Brull�) (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Mate-finding strategies and adaptations in pre- and postcopulatory behaviors to avoid male disturbance were studied in Crocothemis erythraea at two different sites. At ponds without perch sites males patrolled with temporal partitioning of the limited oviposition sites and male-male disputes were rare. The arrival rate of females was high. At temporary marshes with dense emergent vegetation the oviposition sites were widely distributed. Males mainly perched and interacted with longer disputes. At both types of habitats with high male densities females showed a similar number of copulations per visit and oviposition durations. Postcopulatory behavior to avoid male disturbance and to decrease remating of the female differed in both sexes. At the ponds with patrolling males the probability of remating in guarded and unguarded ovipositions was similar and higher than at the marshes. At the marshes 78% of rematings occurred when the guarding male was still involved in disputes with the previously disturbing male. At the ponds females hovered before escaping successfully from approaching males and they changed to another oviposition site where they continued oviposition. Females at the marshes remated after surprise attacks by neighboring males.