Many dragonfly species in The Netherlands declined in the 20th century because of acidification, eutrophication, and desiccation of lotic and lentic habitats and canalization of streams and rivers. These pressures peaked in the 1970s, when 26 of 65 native species had an unfavorable conservation status on the 1997 Dutch Red List. Since the 1980s, environmental regulations have led to improved water quality, and many habitat restoration projects have been carried out. We used standardized monitoring data (1999–2013) and unstandardized observations (1991–2013) to investigate how dragonflies have changed in the last 20 y on a national scale. We compared trends of dragonfly species from different habitat types and with southern vs northern distribution in Europe. Dragonflies recovered strongly in The Netherlands in a period of ∼20 y, probably because of recent habitat improvements. Lotic species have benefitted more than lentic species, and southern species have more positive trends than northern speci...

Strong recovery of dragonflies in recent decades in The Netherlands

Previous macrophysiological studies suggested that temperature-driven color lightness and body size variations strongly influence biogeographical patterns in ectotherms. However, these trait-environment relationships scale to local assemblages and the extent to which they can be modified by dispersal remains largely unexplored. We test whether the predictions of the thermal melanism hypothesis and the Bergmann's rule hold for local assemblages. We also assess whether these trait-environment relationships are more important for species adapted to less stable (lentic) habitats, due to their greater dispersal propensity compared to those adapted to stable (lotic) habitats.We quantified the color lightness and body volume of 99 European dragon- and damselflies (Odonata) and combined these trait information with survey data for 518 local assemblages across Europe. Based on this continent-wide yet spatially explicit dataset, we tested for effects temperature and precipitation on the color lightness and body volume of local assemblages and assessed differences in their relative importance and strength between lentic and lotic assemblages, while accounting for spatial and phylogenetic autocorrelation.The color lightness of assemblages of odonates increased, and body size decreased with increasing temperature. Trait-environment relationships in the average and phylogenetic predicted component were equally important for assemblages of both habitat types but were stronger in lentic assemblages when accounting for phylogenetic autocorrelation.Our results show that the mechanism underlying color lightness and body size variations scale to local assemblages, indicating their general importance. These mechanisms were of equal evolutionary significance for lentic and lotic species, but higher dispersal ability seems to enable lentic species to cope better with historical climatic changes. The documented differences between lentic and lotic assemblages also highlight the importance of integrating interactions of thermal adaptations with proxies of the dispersal ability of species into trait-based models, for improving our understanding of climate-driven biological responses.

Temperature‐driven color lightness and body size variation scale to local assemblages of European Odonata but are modified by propensity for dispersal

A major challenge in evolutionary biology concerns how genetic and phenotypic variation is created and maintained. In this study, we investigated the origin(s) and evolutionary patterns of the female-limited colour polymorphism in Ischnura. This involves the presence of one to three colour morphs: one androchrome morph with coloration that resembles that of the male, and two gynochrome morphs (infuscans and aurantiaca) with a female-specific coloration. We documented the colour of 44 and mating system of 36 of the 76 species within Ischnura to investigate the ancestral state of both traits and the correlated evolution and to infer directionality of trait-state transitions. The ancestral state reconstructions suggest that the most recent common ancestor of the ischnuran damselflies was most likely polymorphic and polyandrous. Our results give some support to the evolutionary correlation between female-limited colour polymorphism and mating system in Ischnura. That correlation is consistent with the idea that sexual selection through sexual conflict over the frequency of matings has selected for polymorphic females to reduce the overall intensity of male mating harassment, and our finding that the same phenotypic morphs have evolved multiple times (convergent evolution) suggests that several species in this genus might be experiencing similar selective pressures. 

The evolutionary history of colour polymorphism in Ischnura damselflies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Central Iran has been faced with deterioration of water quality and quantity, but yet the biodiversity of freshwater-associated insects in this area remains uncertain and without this information the development of conservation strategies is not possible. Here we explore Odonata diversity patterns and species assemblages in three terrestrial ecoregions of Central Iran. We used the first three Hill numbers and phylogenetic generalizations of these indices to compare the species diversity between the ecoregions. To compare Odonata species composition a PERMANOVA analysis was performed. Alpha-diversity of each water body was estimated by Hill numbers, taxonomic diversity, taxonomic distinctness and average taxonomic distinctness. The effects of habitat and environmental factors on Odonata diversity indices were modelled using a linear mixed model. About 42% of all Odonata that have been reported in Iran were found during this study. Species richness in the Desert and Steppe ecoregions were almost equal, the same pattern was observed for phylogenetic diversity indices. The Steppe ecoregion also had significantly different Odonata assemblage. Results of the linear mixed model showed that environmental factors have different effects on different diversity indices. Additionally different diversity indices resulted in different outcomes when comparing ecoregions, demonstrating that single measure cannot precisely assess the properties of an assemblage’s diversity. The high diversity of Odonata observed in such an arid environment shows the importance of man-made water bodies, as well as the necessity of preparing a conservation plan for these ecosystems.

Odonata diversity and species assemblages in the Northwest Central Plateau of Iran

Here, we investigate the evolutionary history of five northern dragonfly species to evaluate what role the last glaciation period may have played in their current distributions. We look at the population structure and estimate divergence times for populations of the following species: Aeshna juncea (Linnaeus), Aeshna subarctica Walker, Sympetrum danae (Sulzer), Libellula quadrimaculata Linnaeus and Somatochlora sahlbergi Trybom across their Holarctic range. Our results suggest a common phylogeographic pattern across all species except for S. sahlbergi. First, we find that North American and European populations are genetically distinct and have perhaps been separated for more than 400,000 years. Second, our data suggests that, based on genetics, populations from the Greater Beringian region (Beringia, Japan and China) have haplotypes that cluster with North America or Europe depending on the species rather than having a shared geographic affinity. This is perhaps a result of fluctuating sea levels and ice sheet coverage during the Quaternary period that influenced dispersal routes and refugia. Indeed, glacial Beringia may have been as much a transit zone as a refugia for dragonflies. Somatochlora sahlbergi shows no genetic variation across its range and therefore does not share the geographic patterns found in the other circumboreal dragonflies studied here. Lastly, we discuss the taxonomic status of Sympetrum danae, which our results indicate is a species complex comprising two species, one found in Eurasia through Beringia, and the other in North America east and south of Beringia. Through this study we present a shared history among different species from different families of dragonflies, which are influenced by the climatic fluctuations of the past.

Comparative phylogeography uncovers evolutionary past of Holarctic dragonflies.

Boyeria irene and Boyeria cretensis are species of spotted dragonflies belonging to the ‘darner’ family, Aeshnidae In 1991, Peters classified Boyeria from Crete as B cretensis, based on adult morphological characters In this study, we used molecular evidence to determine if indeed B irene and B cretensis are different species DNA was sequenced from samples of B irene (from France, Switzerland, Tunisia, Spain and Italy) and B cretensis (from Crete) These species were recovered as two different clades with strong support We conclude that B irene and B cretensis are different species, with evidence based on molecular and morphological differences In addition, we present the first phylogenetic hypothesis for Boyeria for which we have sequenced all but three species Lastly, we discuss different scenarios that may have led to the present-day distribution and speciation patterns of Mediterranean Boyeria

Counting the spots: A molecular and morphological phylogeny of the spotted darner Boyeria (Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) with an emphasis on European taxa

Behavioural and autecological observations on adults of Somatochlora sahlbergi from northern Finland are presented with hitherto unpublished new aspects of imaginal behav iour. A new interpretation and evaluation of possible threats to its survival is considered in the light of new insights into the chorology and habitat preferences of the species. Threats to the restricted Fennoscandian population, chiefly resulting from the rapidly changing ecological conditions in its subarctic ecosystem, triggered by current trends in regional climate change, are outlined.

Observations on adult Somatochlora sahlbergi - a species at risk due to regional climate change? (Odonata: Corduliidae)

Coenagrion persicum was described by Heinrich Lohmann in 1993 on the basis of a single male and two larvae captured in 1937 by E.W. Kaiser in Lorestan Province (W-Iran). In June 2015 two of the authors (TS and DI) rediscovered individual-rich populations of this species in two Iranian provinces (Lorestan and Esfahan). We could confirm the structural differences of the male appendages between C. persicum and C. pulchellum based on a larger number of specimens than in the original description. The structural differences from C. pulchellum in females and their phenotypic variation pattern is described. Coenagrion persicum and C. pulchellum are also genetically distinct regarding two nDNA gene fragments: arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) and phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI). In contrast with C. pulchellum, C. persicum prefers small springs and running waters with rich herbal vegetation. Our faunistic data indicate that the species is present in the mountains between 1800 m and 2300 m a.s.l.. The species seems to be restricted to W-Iran, where it co-occurs with other rheophilic species.

Rediscovery and redescription of Coenagrion persicum (Lohmann 1993) with description of the female, and some notes on habitat selection (Odonata: Coenagrionidae).

The dragonfly fauna of southeast Iran has been studied even more poorly than that of the rest of the country (Dumont & Heidari, 1996; Ebrahimi, Madjdzadeh, & Mohammadian, 2009; Sadeghi & Mohammadal...

New records of dragonflies (Odonata) from Belutschistan-e-Sistan province in Iran

Iran has a complex dragonfly fauna influenced by contacts and overlaps of different geographical zones. Its fauna is dominated by Eurosiberian taxa. However, the SE Province Sistan-va-Baluchestan is rich in oriental species, many of which having their western distribution limit in Iran. In NE-Iran, Irano-Turanian elements live and in the S- and SW-Iran African species are found. The Iranian Odonata fauna seems well studied, however, a closer look reveals many uncertainties and confusion, some records coming clearly from misidentification whereas other, which were missing proofs of correct identification remains to be confirmed. Even today, every new collecting trip reveals species new for Iran whereas species new for science are still detected, although rarely. In this checklist we include seven taxa new for Iran: Stylurus ubadschii (although a male of uncertain origin is recorded in Schmidt (1954), Ischnura senegalensis (although two uncertain records were published by Martin (1912) and Schmidt (1954), Coenagrion ponticum, C. lunulatum, C. pulchellum, Lestes macrostigma, and Calopteryx splendens tschaldirica. We critically checked all available data, including all published records. Fourteen taxa have been rejected, or placed in the category for need of confirmation. Till the end of 2017, 100 autochthonous taxa of dragonflies and two migratory species could be confirmed to be or have been present in Iran. We provide distribution maps, created after evaluation of published data and containing our own data from 12 trips to Iran, travelling over 35000 km in the country. Over 200 new localities are integrated. Taxonomic confusion is reduced by rejecting the following taxa for Iran: Calopteryx splendens mingrelica, C. hyalina, Erythromma najas, Aeshna cyanea, Gomphus davidi, and Sympetrum sinaiticum. We regard the taxa Gomphus amseli and G. schneiderii transcaspicus as synonyms of G. schneiderii, and Onychogomphus forcipatus lucidostriatus as a synonym of O. f. albotibialis.

Checklist of the dragonflies (Odonata) of Iran with new records and notes on distribution and taxonomy

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