Geographical variation of prementum size in Iberian Cordulegaster boltonii (Odonata: Cordulegastridae) populations
Subject
Dragonfly Exuvia Population variation Prementum size Portugal Spain
Date
2022-03-21T13:10:26Z 2022-03-21T13:10:26Z 2022
Description
Within wide geographical areas, Odonata populations can show biometric differences as a consequence of both biotic (e.g., predation, competition) and abiotic factors
(mainly temperature). These differences can occur in the larval stage, although reliable
characters are needed to detect differences. We analyzed whether Cordulegaster boltonii
larvae from 18 Iberian populations differ regarding head width and prementum size (maximum width, minimum width, and maximum length), using measurements taken on final
stage exuviae. Prementum length was greater in southern populations than in northern
ones. Geographic latitude and temperature were the variables that best explained this
variation in females, whereas latitude and altitude above sea level offered the best explanation among males. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
