Functional plasticity in lamellar autotomy by larval damselflies in response to predatory larval dragonfly cues

Inter- and Intraspecific Trait Compensation of Behavioural and Morphological Defences in a Damselfly Genus

Predation is a key driver of phenotypic diversification with prey having evolved sets of correlated anti-predator traits. Changes in anti-predator traits can be studied on an evolutionary as well as on a developmental timescale. Using a common garden setup, we studied inter- and intraspecific correlations of behavioural and morphological defences in four damselfly species that either occur in habitats dominated by predatory fish (fish habitats) or fishless habitats by raising larvae either with predatory fish or in a control treatment. We found inter- as well as intraspecific trait compensation (negative correlations) between behavioural and morphological defences. Compared to fishless habitat species, fish habitat species invested more in behavioural defences and less in morphological defences. This was mirrored by fish habitat species investing more in behavioural defences and less in morphological defences when reared with predatory fish whereas fishless habitat species invested less in morphological defences only. Our results emphasise the role of context-specific combinations of defensive traits to avoid predation. We suggest, considering changes in multiple correlated traits on different timescales when studying the evolution of anti-predator traits.

Prevalence of leg regeneration in damselflies reevaluated: A case study in Coenagrionidae

The leg regeneration capabilities of damselflies are understudied. Here we present the first data of regenerated limbs across a genus of damselfly based on adult specimens collected in the field to illustrate the prevalence of limb loss among nymphs. We show that this phenomenon is much more prevalent than previously thought, as 42 percent of individuals were found with regenerated limbs. Furthermore, we test for patterns within these data to begin to unravel the potential causes of limb loss in nymphal damselflies, showing that intrinsic factors such as sex and species cannot explain the patterns of limb loss pointing to environmental factors as the probable cause. We argue that Odonata limb regeneration provides a potentially unique perspective into the nymphal stage of these organisms.