Female color polymorphism of Ischnura capreolus Hagen, 1861 (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) with notes on behavior and ontogenetic color changes. Issue 3 (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vilela, Diogo Silva; Samuel Ricioli, Leonardo; Del-Claro, Kleber; Guillermo-Ferreira, Rhainer
• Is Part Of: International journal of odonatology. Volume 20:Issue 3/4(2017)
• Page Start: 191
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: damselfly -- Zygoptera -- color change -- morph -- mark-recapture -- dragonfly; Odonata -- Periodicals; 595.73305
• DOI: 10.1080/13887890.2017.1373152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-7890

Abstract

Abstract : Polymorphism in coenagrionids is widely known, mainly for Ischnura . Here, we present the case of I. capreolus, a Neotropical species of which, until now, little information concerning color polymorphism and ontogenetic color changes was known. We used a marking and recapture method to evidence ontogenetic coloration changes in females. We show that, in addition to the gynochrome morph, I. capreolus females also exhibit at least one additional morph: an androchrome color pattern. Gynochrome females (97.1% of marked females) are green-yellow when young and change to a brownish pattern with age, within a week. Androchrome females (2.9% of marked females) exhibit blue coloration, similarly to males. Our study provides the first evidence of ontogenetic color change in I. capreolus . Furthermore, field observations show that I. capreolus is similar to other Ischnura species regarding sexual harassment behavior.