Reproductive behavior of the dragonfly,Orthetrum japonicum (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Abstract

The reproductive behavior of the dragonfly, Orthetrum japonicum, is described. Behavioral processes of turnover of territorial males, simultaneous guarding of 2 females by a male, and copulation by non-territorial males are described. The males with longer hind wings won the territorial conflicts more frequently. The total duration of territorial residence of a given male was correlated with the number of his matings, but not correlated with the length of his abdomen or hind wings. The territorial site with the lower degree of vegetation cover was occupied by males more consistently. Males in more consistently occupied territorial sites did not have longer abdomen and hind wings than males in less consistently occupied sites. The territorial site where the larger number of copulations was observed was not occupied more consistently. Selection episode analysis using the method of Arnold & Wade (1984a, b) showed that direct selection on the hind wing length favored the short wing and that direct selection on the abdomen length favored the long abdomen during mating.

Body size and fitness in Odonata, stabilising selection and a meta‐analysis too far?

“…For example, in Orthetrum japonicum (Kasuya et al , 1997a), the authors extracted only the positive size effect, between body width and territorial defence, while they ignored the insignificant effect of wing length. Indeed, in another study of the same species, Kasuya et al . (1987) reported a negative correlation (−0.205) between territory duration and wing length, and discussed why large size did not affect male mating success significantly (see also Kasuya et al ., 1997b).…”

Sexual Selection and Survival Selection on Wing Coloration and Body Size in the Rubyspot Damselfly Hetaerina americana

“…Body size selection in odonates is apparently quite variable among species (Fincke 1982(Fincke , 1988(Fincke , 1992Buskirk 1987;Kasuya et al 1987;Koenig and Albano 1987;Thompson and Banks 1989;Moore 1990;Anholt 1991;Gribbin and Thompson 1991;Michiels and Dhondt 1991;Harvey and Walsh 1993), and perhaps within species as well (Harvey and Walsh 1993). Unfortunately, however, most studies report only the correlation between body size measures and number of mates (as opposed to mating rate).…”

SEXUAL SELECTION AND SURVIVAL SELECTION ON WING COLORATION AND BODY SIZE IN THE RUBYSPOT DAMSELFLY HETAERINA AMERICANA

“…Body size selection in odonates is apparently quite variable among species (Fincke 1982(Fincke , 1988(Fincke , 1992Buskirk 1987;Kasuya et al 1987;Koenig and Albano 1987;Thompson and Banks 1989;Moore 1990;Anholt 1991;Gribbin and Thompson 1991;Michiels and Dhondt 1991;Harvey and Walsh 1993), and perhaps within species as well (Harvey and Walsh 1993). Unfortunately, however, most studies report only the correlation between body size measures and number of mates (as opposed to mating rate).…”