Niche Partitioning in Three Sympatric Congeneric Species of Dragonfly,<i>Orthetrum chrysostigma, O. coerulescens anceps</i>, and<i>O. nitidinerve</i>: The Importance of Microhabitat

Khelifa, Rassim; Zebsa, Rabah; Moussaoui, Abdelkrim; Kahalerras, Amin; Bensouilah, Soufyane; Mahdjoub, Hayat

doi:10.1673/031.013.7101

Cited by 22 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 64 publications

(57 reference statements)

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“…There are also aspects related to the abiotic and biotic factors which could influence spatial and temporal niche axes of emergence that require future investigations. Even though the species studied are listed as "least concern" in the IUCN Red list, the data presented in this paper broaden our current knowledge of the emergence ecology of local odonates and potential niche similarities among species (Khelifa, Zebsa, Moussaoui et al 2013), which might be of interest for better management and conservation of other threatened odonates (Khelifa et al 2018(Khelifa et al , 2016Mellal, Bensouilah et al 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Emergence ecology and body size dimorphism in Sympetrum fonscolombii and S. meridionale (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Hadjadji¹,

Amari²,

Bouiedda³

et al. 2019

Zoology and Ecology

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The study of dragonfly emergence provides insights into the understanding of their life history, ecology, and adaptation to abiotic and biotic factors. Here we investigate the emergence ecology and body size of two congeneric dragonflies (Sympetrum fonscolombii Selys, and S. meridionale Selys) in Northeast Algeria, highlighting the seasonal pattern, sex ratio at emergence, sexual size dimorphism (SSD), and vertical stratification. We found that both species, S. fonscolombii in particular, showed quite asynchronous emergence. In both species, and especially in the larger S. meridionale, sex ratio was found to be female-biased, which is in line with the hypothesis of a negative relationship between SSD and sex ratio. There was no seasonal pattern of body size observed in both species. In S. meridionale, SSD with regard to both body and wing sheath length was male-biased, while in S. fonscolombii, it was male-biased with regard to body length and female-biased with regard to wing length. Vertical stratification depended on support height (the higher the support, the higher the height of exuvia fixation) but had a complex relationship with the body size. The biological significance and implications of the vertical stratification-body size relationship are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Emergence ecology and body size dimorphism in Sympetrum fonscolombii and S. meridionale (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Hadjadji¹,

Amari²,

Bouiedda³

et al. 2019

Zoology and Ecology

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“…The underlying mechanism for dietary niche partitioning between these two damselflies is currently unknown. Studies showed that the difference in microhabitats of odonate species can increase the likelihood of spatial separation ( Dudgeon 1989a , Khelifa et al 2013 ); thus, microhabitat specialization may subsequently result in dietary divergence. During the daytime, Euphaea formosa larvae rest chiefly on the underside of raised and submerged rocks in strongly flowing currents ( Hayashi 1990 , Huang and Lin 2011 ), whereas those of M. cyanoptera often perch on tree roots, branches, and stems in unshaded slow-moving streams ( Matsuki and Lien 1978 , Hämäläinen and Yeh 2000 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This generalization of trophic relationships between odonates and their prey is essential in studying community structures and ecological processes of freshwater ecosystems, including predator–prey interaction, niche partitioning, and the dynamics of food webs ( Polis and Strong 1996 , Kaartinen et al 2010 ). However, a few studies have indicated that the diet of larval odonates varies according to habitat, season, larval size, and prey selection, making the assumption of generalist predators for larval odonates an oversimplification ( Blois 1985 , Robinson and Wellborn 1987 , Dudgeon 1989a , Galbreath and Hendricks 1992 , Khelifa et al 2013 ). Adults of certain odonates were also found to be specialized predators on spiders and butterflies, or temporary specialists on honey bees ( Corbet 1999 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary Niche Partitioning ofEuphaea formosaandMatrona cyanoptera(Odonata: Zygoptera) on the Basis of DNA Barcoding of Larval Feces

Cheng

Lin

2016

J Insect Sci

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Odonate larvae are commonly considered opportunistic general predators in freshwater ecosystems. However, the dietary breadth of most odonate larvae in forest streams is still poorly documented. We characterized the prey species and estimated the level of dietary niche overlap of two damselflies, Euphaea formosa Hagen 1869 and Matrona cyanoptera Hämäläinen and Yeh, 2000 in a forest stream of central Taiwan on the basis of DNA barcoding of larval feces. A collection of 23 successfully identified cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) barcoding sequences suggested that the mayflies (Ephemeroptera), caddisflies (Trichoptera), and midges (Diptera) comprise the majority (43%, 6/14) of prey species consumed by E. formosa larvae, whereas the identified prey for M. cyanoptera were mainly zooplankton (56%, 5/9). Statistical analysis of dietary overlap indicated that these two species occupy different dietary niches (Pianka’s index = 0.219). DNA barcoding analysis of damselfly larval feces was effective in detecting less sclerotized prey such as vertebrates (fish and frog) and small zooplankton. However, a moderately successful rate (<70%) of PCR amplification by universal CO1 primers and a low percentage (<60%) of identifiable sequences in public databases indicate the limitations of naive DNA barcoding in fecal analysis.

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“…Comparisons of sympatric species that aimed to disclose details of their resource niches are easier for species occurring simultaneously in time [e.g. space utilization by Eumaeini lycaenids: Prieto and Dahners 2009; or a study of co-occurring dragonflies: Khelifa et al (2013)]. Analyses of butterfly oviposition preferences with regard to host plant conditions may provide guidance for conservation management (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-occurrence of threeAristolochia-feeding Papilionids(Archon apollinus, Zerynthia polyxenaandZerynthia cerisy)in Greek Thrace

Šlancarová

Vrba

Plátek

et al. 2015

Journal of Natural History

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Comparative studies of co-occurring species using overlapping resources may help in understanding the mechanisms supporting biotic diversity in species-rich regions, such as the Mediterranean region of Europe. Three Papilionidae butterflies, Archon apollinus, Zerynthia cerisy and Zerynthia polyxena, develop on Aristolochia plants and co-occur in Greek Thrace. We used mark-recapture to describe adult demography and dispersal, and searched for eggs and larvae to assess host plants and microhabitat preferences. Adult flight timing followed a sequence from earliest A. apollinus, through Z. polyxena to late Z. cerisy; this was more prominent in 2010 (warm early spring) than in 2011 (cold delayed spring). Population densities were highest for A. apollinus and lowest for Z. cerisy, whereas dispersal ability followed a reverse pattern. Adults of all three species crossed distances > 3 km and used all habitat types present. Four Aristolochia host plants were used at the study locality: small Aristolochia pallida, intermediate Aristolochia rotunda and Aristolochia hirta, and bulky, late-sprouting Aristolochia clematitis. Both A. apollinus and Z. polyxena used all four Aristolochia species, the former preferring Aristolochia rotunda and Aristolochia hirta, the latter Aristolochia rotunda and Aristolochia pallida. Zerynthia cerisy did not use the early-growing Aristolochia pallida while frequently using the lategrowing Aristolochia clematitis. Further parameters affecting oviposition were biotope and canopy closure: early A. apollinus tolerated shady sites but late Z. cerisy avoided them. The simultaneous use of several host plants differing in phenology and habitat requirements, combined with rather high dispersal ability, arguably buffers the butterflies' population dynamics against yearly variation in weather, while allowing efficient occupation of the diverse Mediterranean landscapes. The regional habitat diversity, created during millennia of human activity, is currently threatened by land abandonment, which may diminish the resource base for the studied butterflies.

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Niche Partitioning in Three Sympatric Congeneric Species of Dragonfly,Orthetrum chrysostigma, O. coerulescens anceps, andO. nitidinerve: The Importance of Microhabitat

Cited by 22 publications

References 64 publications

Emergence ecology and body size dimorphism in Sympetrum fonscolombii and S. meridionale (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Emergence ecology and body size dimorphism in Sympetrum fonscolombii and S. meridionale (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Dietary Niche Partitioning ofEuphaea formosaandMatrona cyanoptera(Odonata: Zygoptera) on the Basis of DNA Barcoding of Larval Feces

Co-occurrence of threeAristolochia-feeding Papilionids(Archon apollinus, Zerynthia polyxenaandZerynthia cerisy)in Greek Thrace

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