A Comparison of Wing Shape and Size in Andromorph and Gynomorph Females with Males of Calopteryx Intermedia Using Geometric Morphometrics

Abstract

AbstractFemale polymorphism is visible in some populations of Odonata species for unknown reasons. In general, one of the female forms which is more or less similar to males is called andromorph. Andromorph females show similar color patterns and sometimes, even some structural and behavioral aspects to the conspecific males, whereas gynochrome females are different from males. One mentioned reason for the existence and survival of this phenomenon in the odonates is the avoidance of male harassment toward females during the breeding season. Males and females of Calopteryx intermedia have sexual dimorphism in the wing shape. It represents differences in flight dynamic models of the two sexes. Therefore, the decrease of harassment of females by males needs mimicry of male’s flight dynamic, but this could be possible with the same wing shape as males but not gynomorph females. The results of the present study revealed that the shape of fore and hindwing of andromorph females were significantly different from males but not gynomorph females. As a result, it seems that andromorph females are not able to mimic the males’ flight and it seems that the andromorph females with a wing spot, approximately the same as that of conspecific males, cannot mislead the males. Thus, we have to seek other places for their existential reason(s) and survival.

Keywords

• morphometry
• damselfly
• calopterygidae
• wing shape