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Evolution of reproductive strategies in libellulid dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera)

Author

  • Jessica Ware
  • Maria Karlsson
  • Goeran Sahlen
  • Kamilla Koch

Summary, in English

In Libellulidae, oocyte production has been assumed to be continuous, with periods of egg-laying interspersed with periods of resting/eating; however, recent work suggests that two types of oocyte production are common: either (a) continuous or (b) step-wise. These are mirrored in the arrangement of the ovarioles in the ovaries. Likewise, two types of mate-guarding behavior have been observed in Libellulidae: (1) non-contact guarding and (2) tandem guarding in which the male either hovers above the female or is physically attached to her during oviposition. Using molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear) data we explored the evolution of female reproductive traits, focusing on ovariole morphology, as well as guarding behavior, in Libellulidae. Continuous egg production appears to have evolved more than once, as have tandem and non-contact guarding. We discuss how the evolution of different ovariole types and guarding behavior may have been influenced by habitat instability, dispersal and crowded oviposition sites; thus, migratory behavior or habitat availability may have been the driving force of ovariole evolution.

Department/s

Publishing year

2012

Language

English

Pages

313-323

Publication/Series

Organisms Diversity & Evolution

Volume

12

Issue

3

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Springer

Topic

  • Biological Sciences

Keywords

  • Ovary type
  • Mate guarding
  • Outgroup selection
  • Phylogeny
  • Bayesian
  • analyses
  • Trait correlation

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1618-1077