Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 6, 2025

Quantifying Corticolous Arthropods Using Sticky Traps
Published on: January 19, 2020
Impact of environmental changes on the behavioral diversity of the Odonata (Insecta) in the Amazon
Bethânia O de Resende1,2, Victor Rennan S Ferreira3,4, Leandro S Brasil3
1Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil. bethania-nx@hotmail.com.
Abstract:
The odonates are insects that have a wide range of reproductive, ritualized territorial, and aggressive behaviors. Changes in behavior are the first response of most odonate species to environmental alterations. In this context, the primary objective of the present study was to assess the effects of environmental alterations resulting from shifts in land use on different aspects of the behavioral diversity of adult odonates. Fieldwork was conducted at 92 low-order streams in two different regions of the Brazilian Amazon. To address our main objective, we measured 29 abiotic variables at each stream, together with five morphological and five behavioral traits of the resident odonates. The results indicate a loss of behaviors at sites impacted by anthropogenic changes, as well as variation in some morphological/behavioral traits under specific environmental conditions. We highlight the importance of considering behavioral traits in the development of conservation strategies, given that species with a unique behavioral repertoire may suffer specific types of extinction pressure.
Related Concept Videos
Ecological Disturbance
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Threats to Biodiversity
Frequency-dependent Selection
Migration
Pollination and Flower Structure

