Range size in North AmericanEnallagmadamselflies correlates with wing size

Abstract

1. Cross-species macroecological comparisons in freshwater invertebrates have been restricted by a lack of large-scale distributional data, and robust phylogenies. Here, we use data from the OdonataCentral database to explore body length-range size and wing lengthrange size relationships in damselflies from the genus Enallagma; the recent publication of a phylogeny for this group meant that, as well as a cross-species analysis, we were able to assess relationships in a phylogenetically controlled manner. 2. For cross-species comparisons, only wing length showed significant (positive) regression relationships with range size and occupancy, although the inclusion of body length in multiple regressions increased the fit of the models. Damselflies with larger wings relative to their body length had larger distributions, a result confirmed by a significant positive relationship between range size and residuals from the regression of wing size on body size. 3. For the phylogenetically controlled analyses, only wing length contrast scores were significantly related to distribution patterns and entered into regression models; the significant positive relationships between wing length contrasts and both range size and occupancy contrasts suggested that evolutionary increases in wing length had occurred alongside range expansions. 4. Together these results suggest that species of Enallagma with larger wings (both absolute and relative to body length) tend to be more widely distributed in North America and that the evolution of wing size may have played a role in range expansion. No such relationships were evident for body size. We discuss the potential importance of wing morphometrics for studying the evolutionary ecology of freshwater insects.

The relationship between geographic range size and life history traits: is biogeographic history uncovered? A test using the Iberian butterflies

“…Correlations between range size and body size or dispersal ability (formerly documented from various taxa, Gaston and Blackburn 1994, Brown 1995, Purvis et al 2001 and Diniz‐Filho et al 2005, but cf. Hillebrand et al 2001, Wilkinson 2001, Fernandez and Vrba 2005 or Rundle et al 2007) are not supported by the most parsimonious interpretation of our results. The relationship between Iberian butterfly range and adult size is taxonomic, range size is weakly related to migratory status, and both relationships break down under multivariate selection protocols.…”

Habitat constraints and the generation of diversity in freshwater macroinvertebrates.

“…It is unsurprising, therefore, that the evidence for a strong relationship between dispersal ability and range size is equivocal (e.g. marine organisms, Lester et al, 2007;moths, Beck and Kitching, 2007), although there are many examples of a positive correlation (presence of wings in beetles, Juliano, 1983; wing size in damselfl ies, Rundle et al, 2007; fl ying ability in warblers, Böhning-Gaese et al, 2006). In plants, dispersal ability is often measured in relation to mode of pollination or seed size, and a positive relationship between these surrogate measures and size of the geographical range has been reported (e.g.…”

Habitat use governs distribution patterns of saprophagous (litter-transforming) macroarthropods - a case study of British woodlice (Isopoda: Oniscidea)

“…Dispersal ability has been found to be a key determinant of range size for many taxa, particularly those that are highly motile (Beck & Kitching, 2007;Rundle et al, 2007). However, dispersal ability is general thought to be low for saprophagous macroarthropods, although many species have been found colonising post-mining rehabilitation sites (Tajovsky, 2001).…”