Selective predation on wing morphology in sympatric damselflies

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Behavioral Ecology
• Speciation

Background:

• Predation is a key driver of evolutionary change, yet its role in species divergence, especially in nonadaptive radiations, is understudied.
• Wing melanization in Calopteryx damselflies is crucial for sexual selection, species recognition, and interspecific interactions.
• The Calopteryx genus is a model for studying radiations driven by sexual selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of avian predation on natural selection of wing morphology and melanization in two sympatric Calopteryx species.
• To determine how predator-mediated selection affects species divergence and coexistence within this genus.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of predation risk between Calopteryx virgo and Calopteryx splendens.
• Examination of natural selection on wing morphology and melanization traits in both species.
• Assessment of nonlinear selection patterns on wing traits.

Main Results:

• Calopteryx virgo, with more extensive wing melanization, faced nearly three times higher predation risk than Calopteryx splendens.
• Selective predation favored reduced and redistributed melanin in C. virgo.
• Evidence of nonlinear selection on wing traits was stronger in C. splendens than in C. virgo.

Conclusions:

• Avian predation significantly influences natural selection on wing traits in Calopteryx damselflies.
• Selective predation may disrupt sexual selection-driven species divergence, impacting reproductive isolation and coexistence.
• Understanding predator-prey dynamics is crucial for explaining speciation patterns in damselflies.