Home Range, Movement, and Distribution Patterns of the Threatened Dragonfly Sympetrum depressiusculum (Odonata: Libellulidae): A Thousand Times Greater Territory to Protect?

Abstract

Dragonflies are good indicators of environmental health and biodiversity. Most studies addressing dragonfly ecology have focused on the importance of aquatic habitats, while the value of surrounding terrestrial habitats has often been overlooked. However, species associated with temporary aquatic habitats must persist in terrestrial environments for long periods. Little is known about the importance of terrestrial habitat patches for dragonflies, or about other factors that initiate or influence dispersal behaviour. The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between population dynamics of the threatened dragonfly species Sympetrum depressiusculum at its natal site and its dispersal behaviour or routine movements within its terrestrial home range. We used a mark–release–recapture method (marking 2,881 adults) and exuviae collection with the Jolly–Seber model and generalized linear models to analyse seasonal and spatial patterns of routine movement in a heterogeneous Central European landscape. Our results show that utilisation of terrestrial habitat patches by adult dragonflies is not random and may be relatively long term (approximately 3 mo). Adult dragonflies were present only in areas with dense vegetation that provided sufficient resources; the insects were absent from active agricultural patches (p = 0.019). These findings demonstrate that even a species tightly linked to its natal site utilises an area that is several orders of magnitude larger than the natal site. Therefore, negative trends in the occurrence of various dragonfly species may be associated not only with disturbances to their aquatic habitats, but also with changes in the surrounding terrestrial landscape.

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

“…Moreover, the survival strategies of many species include attempts to colonize all available habitats, including some that may not be optimal (Corbet, 1999); this strategy often leads to failure in reproduction. For example, in the species Sympetrum depressiusculum, which is dominant in the fish ponds in Dzwonowo, over one-third of the population was found to have ranged over distances more than 0.5 km from their native water body (Dolny et al, 2014). In the present study, the distance between the Krąpiel and neighbouring fish ponds was 15-20 m, which was within the lower range of dispersal of adult Zygoptera, even during the reproductive period (Conrad et al, 2002).…”

Does the management of surrounding terrestrial habitats increase the tendency of odonates to leave aquatic habitats?

“…Therefore, odonate adults are forced to gather resources from the surrounding terrestrial habitats. Moreover, at this time, frequently emerging species with long prereproductive period, who are more likely to spread into surrounding terrestrial habitats (Kadoya et al 2008;Dolný et al 2014;Harabiš 2016;Hykel et al 2016). …”

“…Moreover, Kadoya et al (2008) suggest that the species with long pre-reproductive phase spend a longer time in terrestrial habitats. Despite many associated risks, even among European dragonflies and damselflies, appearing species whose imagoes leave aquatic habitats soon after emergence are dependent on the surrounding terrestrial habitats for most of their life (Dolný et al 2014;Harabiš 2016).…”

A genetic analysis of dragonfly population structure

“…Despite increasing alteration and destruction of both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, relatively little is understood about the genetic relationship between populations of nymph and adult dragonflies in a given area. Previous studies have generally examined either the spatial distribution of dragonfly nymphs (e.g., Benke & Benke, ; Buskirk, ; Pierce, Crowely, & Johnson, ) or the movement of adults (e.g., Conrad, Willson, Harvey, Thomas, & Sherratt, ; Dolný, Harabiš, & Mižičová, ; Remsburg, Olson, & Samways, ). A better understanding of the connections between nymph and adult populations is essential to understanding dragonfly conservation and population structure.…”