Egg distribution, mate-guarding intensity and offspring characteristics in dragonflies (Odonata)

Interspecific Aggression Causes Negative Selection on Sexual Characters

“…Similarly, O. chrysostigma was also studied extensively in sub-Saharan Africa Schenk et al 2004;Koch 2005;Koch and Suhling 2005;Suhling et al 2006). However, data regarding O. nitidinerve, a species with a distribution restricted to the Mediterranean basin (Dijkstra et al 2007), are still lacking (Khelifa et al 2012).…”

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

“…Non-contact females actively seek out a favored location in the water body before depositing their egg clutches (e.g., Buskirk and Sherman 1985;Conrad and Pritchard 1992;Corbet 2004;Fincke 1992;Siva-Jothy and Hooper 1995). In tandem species, the males swiftly guide females to several locations at the water, resulting in numerous short and continuous egg-laying bursts (Conrad and Pritchard 1992;Hopper 1999;Koch and Suhling 2005;Schenk et al 2004). Thus, both behaviors are favorable under certain conditions; non-contact species are well adapted to permanent waters, whilst tandem species are better adapted to temporary waters owing to their spatial risk-spreading [and their rapid larval development time (Schenk et al 2004)].…”

“…In tandem species, the males swiftly guide females to several locations at the water, resulting in numerous short and continuous egg-laying bursts (Conrad and Pritchard 1992;Hopper 1999;Koch and Suhling 2005;Schenk et al 2004). Thus, both behaviors are favorable under certain conditions; non-contact species are well adapted to permanent waters, whilst tandem species are better adapted to temporary waters owing to their spatial risk-spreading [and their rapid larval development time (Schenk et al 2004)]. In our analyses we found that the different reproductive strategies evolved several times and are convergent.…”

“…We assume a certain amount of variation also exists within non-contact guarding. The size distribution of eggs within a clutch differs between guarding types (Koch and Suhling 2005;Schenk et al 2004). Clutches laid by non-contact guarding species have egg sizes inversely proportional to laying order, whilst egg size is random in tandem guarding species (Schenk et al 2004).…”

Critical species of Odonata in southwestern Africa

“…Miller & Miller (2003) provided very detailed description of each species' ecology for a selection of species from eastern Africa, some of which also apply to SW Africa, while general reviews such as Corbet (1999) also apply. Extensive work has been done on habitat selection, larval and adult behaviour, life history, as well as on population and community ecology of some species that populate temporary pools in the Namibian western catchments (Padeffke & Suhling 2003;Johansson & Suhling 2004;Schenk et al 2004;Suhling et al 2004). The population structure and Table 1.…”