Distribution of the IberianCalopteryxDamselflies and Its Relation with Bioclimatic Belts: Evolutionary and Biogeographic Implications

Abstract

Using bioclimatic belts as habitat and distribution predictors, the present study examines the implications of the potential distributions of the three Iberian damselflies, Calopteryx Leach (Odonata: Calopterygidae), with the aim of investigating the possible consequences in specific interactions among the species from a sexual selection perspective and of discussing biogeographical patterns. To obtain the known distributions, the literature on this genus was reviewed, relating the resulting distributions to bioclimatic belts. Specific patterns related to bioclimatic belts were clearly observed in the Mediterranean region. The potential distribution maps and relative frequencies might involve latitudinal differences in relative abundances, C. virgo meridionalis Sélys being the most abundant species in the Eurosiberian region, C. xanthostoma (Charpentier) in the northern half of the Mediterranean region and C. haemorrhoidalis (Vander Linden) in the rest of this region. These differences might explain some previously described latitudinal differences in secondary sexual traits in the three species. Changes in relative abundances may modulate interactions among these species in terms of sexual selection and may produce sexual character displacement in this genus. C. virgo meridionalis distribution and ecological requirements explain its paleobiogeography as a species which took refuge in Iberia during the Würm glaciation. Finally, possible consequences in species distributions and interactions are discussed within a global climate change context.

Early recolonization of a dredged lowland river by dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata)

“…There were, however, some exceptions to this rule; e.g., Calopteryx virgo increased in abundance, and Pyrrhosoma nymphula appeared, when it was previously absent. These dragonflies prefer cool water with a rapid flow and/or water rich in oxygen (Rüppell et al, 2005;Bernard et al, 2009;Outomuro et al, 2010;Verberk and Calosi, 2012). These findings suggested that changes in the abundance of phytorheophiles were also influenced by changes in the hydrological conditions and associated changes in the physico-chemical characteristics of the water.…”

Wing pigmentation in Calopteryx damselflies: a role in thermoregulation?

“…It is important to note that both study species have very different ecological niches. C. xanthostoma typically inhabits sunny streams and rivers, whereas C. virgo meridionalis inhabits more shaded streams (Outomuro, Torralba‐Burrial & Ocharan, 2010). In a thermoregulatory context, this might explain why males of C. virgo meridionalis have highly pigmented wings and females have wing pigmentation, whereas C. xanthostoma males have less pigmented wings and females lack wing pigmentation.…”

“…The significant relationship between solar radiation and wing pigmentation in C. virgo meridionalis females might be explained by a role for wing pigmentation as an antioxidant and/or physical barrier that protects against UV damage (True, 2003; Clusella‐Trullas et al ., 2007; Cooper, 2010). Under this hypothesis, wing pigmentation in C. xanthostoma males would be expected to show a stronger positive relationship with solar radiation than in C. virgo meridionalis , as the former species inhabits more open and less forested habitats (Outomuro et al ., 2010). However, we did not find this relationship for C. virgo meridionalis males or either sex of C. xanthostoma .…”

The effects of latitude, body size, and sexual selection on wing shape in a damselfly

“…The study species C. virgo meridionalis is mainly distributed on south‐western Europe, principally in the Iberian Peninsula, the southern half of France and northern Italy; some populations are also known from Morocco and Algeria (Rüppell et al ., 2005). It inhabits cold, fast‐flowing streams and rivers, with abundant edge vegetation (Outomuro, Torralba‐Burrial & Ocharan, 2010). Males defend territories with suitable oviposition sites, and they show a pigmented wing spot, covering 87–95% of the front wing and 85–93% of the hind wing (present study).…”