Dragonflies from hot springs in Russia with a country-level checklist of species known to occur in geothermal environments

Abstract

Geothermal springs are known to harbor unusual assemblages of dragonflies and damselflies worldwide. A review of original records and the body of available literature revealed that 27 Odonata species were recorded from hot springs in Russia so far and that the successful larval development in geothermal environments was discovered for 17 species. Among them, four species exclusively inhabit hot springs, i.e. Mnais costalis, Anotogaster sieboldii, Orthetrum melania (Kunashir Island), and O. albistylum (Eastern Siberia). In Russia, these southern species are unable to develop beyond geothermally heated water bodies due to cold climate, and they exist as local geothermal populations there. Here, we report on several novel records of Odonata species from geothermal springs in eastern Russia. Four species were recorded on the Kunashir Island (Kurile Archipelago): Mnais costalis (adults), Anotogaster sieboldii (adults and larvae), Orthetrum melania (adults), and Sympetrum pedemontanum elatum (adults and larvae). Two species were found in the Kamchatka Peninsula, i.e. Libellula quadrimaculata (freshly emerged imago and exuvia) and Aeshna juncea (larvae). To explain the origin of isolated geothermal populations of Odonata, three alternative hypotheses can be proposed as follows: (1) pre-glacial relicts; (2) mid-Holocene relicts (since the Holocene Climate Optimum); and (3) recent (late Holocene) populations founded by long-distance dispersal events. These scenarios are yet to be tested by means of a molecular approach.

Insect and Plant Diversity in Hot-Spring Ecosystems during the Jurassic-Cretaceous Boundary from Spain (Aguilar Fm., Palencia)

“…In general, the exceptional preservation of fossil insects in geothermally influenced environments makes their records particularly valuable. Modern-day hot spring systems can serve as local refugia for thermophilic animals and plants [ 8 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Thermal springs around the world have similar insect faunas; only four orders (Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Odonata) are commonly represented, and each of these only by a handful of genera [ 70 ].…”

“…Thermal springs around the world have similar insect faunas; only four orders (Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Odonata) are commonly represented, and each of these only by a handful of genera [ 70 ]. In a global summary, 38 species of Odonata were listed as permanent inhabitants of hot springs that can complete their life cycle in geothermal environments [ 8 , 9 ]. Due to the low amounts of individuals of only two species of dragonflies, this type of preservation in travertine supports the idea that these species were possibly abundant locally near geothermal springs, meaning that the specimens were buried where they had once lived.…”

“…In addition, the evolutionary co-association between these two groups has been widely studied in modern and ancient ecosystems. Hot springs represent unique ecosystems with distinctive plant, animal, fungal, and bacterial communities [ 6 , 7 , 8 ] due to the stable temperature and the chemical composition, unusual pH values and concentrations of solids [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Hydrothermal sites could represent an environmental refuge for animals and plants with constant temperature and humidity needs [ 8 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

“…Hot springs represent unique ecosystems with distinctive plant, animal, fungal, and bacterial communities [ 6 , 7 , 8 ] due to the stable temperature and the chemical composition, unusual pH values and concentrations of solids [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Hydrothermal sites could represent an environmental refuge for animals and plants with constant temperature and humidity needs [ 8 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. In current ecosystems, some insects such as different species of dragonflies and damselflies are known to establish local populations in warm springs [ 8 , 15 , 16 ].…”

“…Hydrothermal sites could represent an environmental refuge for animals and plants with constant temperature and humidity needs [ 8 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. In current ecosystems, some insects such as different species of dragonflies and damselflies are known to establish local populations in warm springs [ 8 , 15 , 16 ].…”