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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
06:37
Continuous Hydrologic and Water Quality Monitoring of Vernal Ponds
Published on: November 13, 2017
Life-history evolution when Lestes damselflies invaded vernal ponds
Marjan De Block1, Mark A McPeek, Robby Stoks
1Department of Biology, Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, University of Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. marjan.deblock@bio.kuleuven.be
Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|December 7, 2007
Summary
Damselflies evolving for ephemeral ponds show faster development but reduced size and immunity. This adaptation allows survival in temporary habitats but incurs functional costs.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Ecology
- Life-history evolution
Background:
- Macroevolution of life-history traits along environmental gradients is poorly understood.
- Directionality of evolution and associated functional costs require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine evolution of age and size at maturity in Lestes damselflies.
- Investigate shifts from temporary ponds to ephemeral vernal ponds.
- Assess costs associated with adaptive evolutionary changes.
Main Methods:
- Larval rearing of three Lestes species under varying photoperiod and starvation stress.
- Comparative analysis of development rates and life-history traits.
- Phylogenetic comparison of derived vernal-pond species with ancestral temporary-pond species.
Main Results:
- Vernal-pond Lestes dryas exhibited faster development than temporary-pond Lestes.
- Developmental plasticity was primarily observed in the final instar.
- Faster development correlated with lower mass at maturity and reduced immune function post-starvation.
Conclusions:
- Faster development in Lestes dryas is an adaptive trait for ephemeral vernal ponds.
- Costs of faster development include reduced mass and immune function.
- These costs may limit further evolution of development rate and maintain plasticity.
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