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The objective of this work was to evaluate the predation rates of two genera of Odonata Miathyria Kirby, 1889 and Erythemis Hagen, 1861 in post-larviculture of tilapia with and without availability of Chironomidae. For that, 3 experiments were carried out, the first to analyze which size scale of these two genera would be more efficient in the predation of tilapia and the other 2 experiments with the selected size scales, to analyze the predation rates on tilapia with different Odonata densities, with and without availability of the aquatic insect Chironomidae. For statistical analysis of the data, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied with the Duncan test searching for the means in all experiments. In experiments 2 and 3 a linear regression model was also applied. In experiment 1, there were significant differences between treatments, and in the phase with Miathyria the predation of tilapia post-larvae was higher among odonates that corresponded to the size scale from 7.1 to 9.9 mm and therefore the scale was also selected for the next experiments. For Erythemis, the consumption of tilapia was higher in the size scale between 12.1 to 14,2 mm. In the following experiments, there were significant differences between treatments. With the increase in Odonata densities the predation of the fish was greater. With the availability of Chironomidae, the consumption of tilapia post-larvae decreased. The consumption of Chironomidae was higher than the consumption of fish in experiment 3. Miathyria proved to be more efficient than Erythemis in predation and the use of Chironomidae can be a sustainable alternative for post-larvae predation control on fish farms.

Aim A progressive increase in air temperature is recognized as the most important mechanistic driver of species range shifts. However, only a few studies have simultaneously considered the influence of both extrinsic and intrinsic mechanistic drivers; there are still no studies on the roles of extrinsic and intrinsic drivers that regulate such species changes. We investigated how species will shift their geographical ranges to cope with future climate change and analysed the relative importance of the mechanistic drivers in governing species range shifts. Location Sixteen countries in South, West and North Europe. Methods We used ensemble species distribution models on the European continental scale to predict 105 odonate species in response to climate change in the future decades until 2080s under three emission scenarios. We evaluated the projected changes in four community metrics (distribution area, optimum position, leading edge and trailing edge) and investigated how these changes are driven by extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Results The odonate species were predicted to shift their range margins poleward, with a higher migration rate towards the trailing edge (2.38‒10.34 km/year) than the leading edge (1.13‒2.00 km/year). Contrary to the assumption that the response of the odonate species to climate change will linearly accelerate over time, the distribution areas of odonate species were predicted to increase until 2050s and then decline until 2080s under RCP 2.6 (representative concentration pathway). However, their distributions under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 were predicted to decrease over time, with a higher rate under RCP 8.5. Overall, environmental preference and habitat override dispersal ability govern the range shift of odonate species. Main conclusions Quantifying the relative importance of extrinsic and intrinsic factors across a large spatial scale under different emission scenarios can help understand the mechanistic processes to facilitate species range shifts.

The expansion of urban areas is one of the most significant anthropogenic impacts on the natural landscape. Due to their sensitivity to stressors in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, dragonflies and damselflies (the Odonata) may provide insights into the effects of urbanisation on biodiversity. However, while knowledge about the impacts of urbanisation on odonates is growing, there has not been a comprehensive review of this body of literature until now. This is the first systematic literature review conducted to evaluate both the quantity and topics of research conducted on odonates in urban ecosystems. From this research, 79 peer-reviewed papers were identified, the vast majority (89.87%) of which related to studies of changing patterns of biodiversity in urban odonate communities. From the papers regarding biodiversity changes, 31 were performed in an urban-rural gradient and 21 of these reported lower diversity towards built up city cores. Twelve of the cases of biodiversity loss were directly related to the concentrations of pollutants in the water. Other studies found higher concentrations of pollutants in odonates from built-up catchments and suggested that odonates such as Aeshna juncea and Platycnemis pennipes may be candidate indicators for particular contaminants. We conclude by identifying current research needs, which include the need for more studies regarding behavioural ecology and life-history traits in response to urbanisation, and a need to investigate the mechanisms behind diversity trends beyond pollution.

Heritable microbes are an important component of invertebrate biology, acting both as beneficial symbionts and reproductive parasites. Whilst most previous research has focussed on the ‘Wolbachia pandemic’, recent work has emphasised the importance of other microbial symbionts. In this study, we present a survey of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) for torix group Rickettsia, following previous research indicating that this clade can be common in other aquatic insect groups. PCR assays were used to screen a broad range of odonates from two continents and revealed 8 of 76 species tested were infected with Rickettsia. We then conducted further deeper screening of UK representatives of the Coenagrionidae damselfly family, revealing 6 of 8 UK coenagrionid species to be positive for torix Rickettsia. Analysis of Rickettsia gene sequences supported multiple establishments of symbiosis in the group. Some strains were shared between UK coenagrionid species that shared mtDNA barcodes, indicating a likely route for mitochondrial introgression between sister species. There was also evidence of coinfecting Rickettsia strains in two species. FISH analysis indicated Rickettsia were observed in the ovarioles, consistent with heritable symbiosis. We conclude that torix Rickettsia represent an important associate of odonates, being found in a broad range of species from both Europe and South America. There is evidence that coinfection can occur, vertical transmission is likely, and that symbiont movement following hybridisation may underpin the lack of ‘barcoding gap’ between well-established species pairs in the genus. Future work should establish the biological significance of the symbioses observed.

Freshwater habitats worldwide are experiencing many threats from environmental and anthropogenic sources, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In Africa, particularly in Mediterranean climate zones, rapid human population growth is predicted to have great impact on natural habitats besides naturally occurring events such as unpredictable drought frequency and severity. Here, we analyze the potential correlation between odonate assemblage conservation priority (measured with the Dragonfly Biotic Index: DBI) and the magnitude of climate change and human perturbation in African regions with a dominant Mediterranean climate, namely Northern (NAR: Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) and Southern African region (SAR: South Africa). Using a compilation of studies assessing odonate assemblages in lotic and lentic habitats of both regions (295 sites in NAR and 151 sites in SAR), we estimated DBI, temporal change in average annual temperature (T), annual precipitation (P), and human footprint index (HFI) in each site, then we tested whether sites with different levels of DBI were associated with different magnitudes of climatic and anthropogenic change. We estimated past (between 1980–1999 and 2000–2018) and future changes (between 1980–1999 and 2081–2100) in T and P based on three CMIP6 scenarios representing low (SSP126), moderate (SSP245), and high emission (SSP585), as well as the change in HFI from 1993 to 2009. We found that assemblages with higher DBI (i.e. higher conservation priority) encountered lower increase in T and slightly greater decrease in P than assemblages with lower DBI (i.e. lower conservation priority) in NAR during 1980–2018, but are projected to experience higher increase in T and lower decrease in P in future projections for 2081–2100. In SAR, the increase in T was mostly similar across assemblages but the decline in P was higher for assemblages with higher DBI during 1980–2018 and 2081–2100, suggesting that assemblages of higher conservation priority in SAR are threatened by drought. While HFI showed an overall increase in NAR but not in SAR, its temporal change showed only minor differences across assemblages with different DBI levels. We discuss the importance of management plans to mitigate the effects of climatic and anthropogenic threats, so improving conservation of odonate assemblages in these regions.

Monitoring of odonates has become an important instrument for ecological status assessment of (semi-)aquatic habitats. Besides information on presence and abundance, knowledge about a species´ autochthony at the surveyed waterbody is a significant information within the assessment process. Here, the finding of exuviae represents the ultimate proof of successful reproduction. Although feasible for most odonate species, morphological identification of exuviae is often time consuming, as it relies on small, fragile structures. To facilitate species identification of exuviae, a DNA barcoding approach was developed, including (1) non-destructive extraction of DNA using whole exuviae or their tracheal tubes, and (2) primer systems for long (< 600 bp) and short (< 200 bp) CO1 fragments. A total of 85 exuviae from 33 species were analysed and compared to results of morphological identification. Additionally, factors potentially influencing DNA quality and quantity, as well as PCR and sequencing success were investigated. Eighty-two exuviae matched the morphologically identified genus, and 60 matched at species level. Of the 33 species present in the data set, 82% could be identified to species level via DNA barcoding. The results show how DNA-based approaches can support fast and accurate species identification and therefore enhance monitoring of an ecologically important taxonomic group, with high relevance for conservation and habitat restoration. Moreover, the use of exuviae as DNA resource once more shows that non-invasive sampling offers great potential for molecular species identification, which is essential when studying rare and endangered species.Implications for insect conservationOur results show how molecular tools, here DNA barcoding of odonate exuviae, can support species monitoring without the need of catching individuals, harming, or even killing them. Obtaining DNA from non-invasive sources can thus be a direct advantage to the conservation of insects, especially when dealing with rare and endangered species and/or populations. Using the example of odonates as bioindicator organisms for aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats, we highlight the importance of non-invasive genetic approaches for population studies and monitoring of insect species and/or species communities for ecosystem assessments and conservation management.

Our knowledge about how the environment influences sexual selection regimes and how ecology and sexual selection interact is still limited. We performed an integrative study of wing pigmentation in calopterygid damselflies, combining phylogenetic comparative analyses, field observations and experiments. We investigated the evolutionary consequences of wing pigmentation for sexual dimorphism, speciation, and extinction and addressed the possible thermoregulatory benefits of pigmentation. First, we reconstructed ancestral states of male and female phenotypes and traced the evolutionary change of wing pigmentation. Clear wings are the ancestral state and that pigmentation dimorphism is derived, suggesting that sexual selection results in sexual dimorphism. We further demonstrate that pigmentation elevates speciation and extinction rates. We also document a significant biogeographic association with pigmented species primarily occupying northern temperate regions with cooler climates. Field observations and experiments on two temperate sympatric species suggest a link between pigmentation, thermoregulation, and sexual selection, although body temperature is also affected by other phenotypic traits such as body mass, microhabitat selection, and thermoregulatory behaviors. Taken together, our results suggest an important role for wing pigmentation in sexual selection in males and in speciation. Wing pigmentation might not increase ecological adaptation and species longevity, and its primary function is in sexual signaling and species recognition.

Insects are under global threat from human activities, with aquatic species particularly vulnerable. Sympecma paedisca , a Palearctic damselfly that overwinters as an adult, has undergone significant declines in Europe and is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ in Italy. Poor knowledge about its distribution and ecology in the country prevents effective conservation actions. This study aims to: (1) assess the species’ current and historical range in Italy, (2) describe habitat selection outside the breeding season, (3) identify breeding habitat preferences, and (4) evaluate the role of protected areas for its conservation. We collected data from the literature, unpublished records, citizen science, and targeted field surveys, significantly expanding knowledge on distribution, and specifically on breeding areas. The species’ range is now restricted to 4824 km² in northwestern Italy, representing a marked contraction over the past century. During winter, S. paedisca shows a strong preference for heathland, shrubland, and fallows, while avoiding urban areas, annual crops, woodland, and rice fields. Conversely, rice fields and their associated marginal habitats were identified as key breeding habitats, an ecological aspect previously overlooked. Only 20% of its breeding sites are included within protected areas.