Dragonflies (Odonata) passing through several life stages during their life cycle. During metamorphosis between stages, they did not change only morphology, but also habitat preferences. Although they are associated to aquatic environment during larval stage, adults are much more mobile and can utilize the surrounding terrestrial habitats. Adult dragonflies are also involved in to terrestrial food chains. However the relationship, between the quality of terrestrial habitats and the diversity of dragonflies as well as seasonal changes in utilization of these habitats are still not known. This thesis aiming to analyze the influence of seasonality and distance from aquatic habitat on the abundance of dragonflies. Moreover, the differences in fish farming intensity were considered in the analyses. Fieldwork took place during 2015 from May to September. Data from 29 localities of Czech Republic were included. It is not surprising that I found significant influence of seasonality, on the abundance of all species, as well as a negative relationship between dragonfly abundance and distance from water reservoir. Interestingly, it was found, that dragonfly utilization of terrestrial areas around the extensively managed habitats was significantly higher than in habitats around intensively managed ponds. These findings demonstrate the importance of terrestrial habitats for dragonflies, especially those occurring around extensively managed water habitats.

Odonatopera exhibit a wide diversity of morphologies for an ancient group of winged insects. A morphological matrix of 463 characters is compiled for 347 extant and fossil representatives used in parsimony analyses, implemented in TNT, to document arrangements of taxonomic groups above the family level. Missing data and other challenges approaches implemented and interpretation of the results. We employ a novel approach to testing monophyly relative to quantities of missing data for each taxon. Phylogenetic reconstructions recover patterns of monophyly and trends based on missing data. We discuss the implications of our findings on missing data as well as limitations to systematics in general for Odonatoptera.

This study focuses on ways that the size distribution of individuals influences the types and intensities of competitive interactions within a population of aquatic arthropod predators. Three field experiments and one laboratory experiment were designed to test for feeding interference, interference mortality, and dispersal effects within and between larval size classes of the primarily semivoltine dragonfly Tetragoneuria cynosura in Bays Mountain Lake. One field experiment documented the temporal pattern of colonization of large-mesh cylinders by the small, first-year-class larvae during a 30-day period; the results are consistent with passive (density-independent) colonization. A second field experiment examined the effect of large, second-year-class larvae at densities of 1 or 3 per cylinder (14 or 42 m-2) on colonization by small larvae; this colonization was inhibited at the high density of large larvae. In the laboratory experiment, when larvae of the two size-classes were together in the same aquarium, small larvae moved around less than when by themselves (dispersal inhibition). Thus the inhibition of colonization observed in the field may result from interference mortality, rather than from a flight response to the presence of larger conspecifics. To evaluate this interpretation, the third field experiment measured the in-situ functional response of large larvae to each other and to their small conspecific prey. Results suggest a type 1 (linear) functional response, with feeding inteference among large larvae. Moreover, the interference mortality inflicted by larger larvae on smaller conspecifics was apparently more intense on larger individuals within the small size-class. Taken together, the three field experiments and a statistical power analysis show how colonization and interference interact to determine the local density of small larvae, and why such interference effects are difficult to detect experimentally in the field.

Field experiments using small replicated enclosures focused on interactions between larval populations of Epitheca cynosura and Ladona deplanata (Odonata: Anisoptera) - two species that emerge in early spring. The presence of Epitheca reduced the total biomass of Ladona, but Ladona had no significant effect on Epitheca. These early-emerging species reduced the biomass of small instars of late-emerging Anisoptera which colonized enclosures during the experiments; and the late-emerging Anisoptera seem to have inhibited colonization by Zygoptera larvae. Results are consistent with the importance of predatory (cannibalism or mutual predation) interactions in this community.

Egg masses of Epitheca cynosura were collected from Bays Mountain Park, Tennessee, USA, in June, 1999. Newly hatched individuals were placed into enclosures and sampled at scheduled time intervals throughout the summer. Enclosures were exposed to combinations of high and low densities and presence/absence of a second-year class E. cynosura predator. Survivorship, mean head widths, and mean dry masses were compared across treatments. Due to poor recovery of early-instar larvae, survivorship showed no significant differences in mortality among treatments. The predator present treatment caused significantly smaller head widths and dry masses only on days 42 and 55. The density treatment had a significant effect on larval growth from day 28 through day 86 (end of the experiment). Larvae from low density treatments had larger head widths and dry masses. The effects observed within the density treatments were likely to have resulted in a cohort split. Those individuals in the low density treatment followed a univoltine life history, and high density individuals followed a semivoltine life history. Density is probably a very important factor influencing the voltinism of E. cynosura at Bays Mounain Lake.

Theories concerning the origin of insect wings and flight are reviewed and a new scenario for their origin proposed. It is suggested that environmental conditions of the small stream were responsible for the evolution of insect flight, and that thermoregulation as well as respiration was important in the preadaptation of wings. The possibility that the five paired convex-concave vein systems each represented a dorsal-ventral blood channel is suggested. Odonate wing vein homology and nomenclatural systems, and phylogeny are reviewed. The process of vein loss is evaluated in the Palaeoptera and a new system of odonate wing vein homologies proposed. The odonate wing mechanism is analyzed and the heretofore overlooked discal nodus characterized. Reevaluation of the comparative morphology of fossil and recent Odonata indicates that Protozygoptera and Protanisoptera represent evolutionary side branches, that the Anisozygoptera is polyphyletic, and that Isophlebiidae and Calopterygoidea are the most generalized Odonata known. Previous scenarios explaining evolution of the unique odonate copulatory process are reviewed. Considering the copulatory behavior of the Calopterygoidea generalized supports evolutionary trends toward male domination and in-flight completion of the process. Assuming direct sperm transfer the original odonate mode requires that originally oviposition be in tandem and that sperm transfer to and from male anterior abdominal sterna be accidental. In contrast, assuming an original indirect transfer of sperm leads to a copulatory sequence similar to that of the Odonata. The proposed scenario differs from others in that extraordinary postures are not envisioned, the process is completed at rest, and the odonate tandem hold is developed prior to copulation. Anisopteran morphology and phylogeny are reviewed and reliable dentification keys developed for North American families and genera, and for 180 anisopteran species collected in Virginia and vicinity. Each species is described and photographed, including seven new species. The biogeography of Virginia Anisoptera is best explained by overlapping biotic regions, the fauna being a mixture of eastern North American, boreal, and tropical elements. New efficient methods for collecting, preserving, and rearing Odonata are described. / Ph. D.

La Corse abrite une grande diversité de zones humides soumises à des pressions et menaces d’origine anthropique qui n’ont cessé de croître et de se diversifier au cours de ces dernières décennies. La conservation de ces milieux à forte valeur patrimoniale et du peuplement d’odonates original qui s’y développe, représente aujourd’hui d’importants enjeux environnementaux et sociétaux afin de préserver les services écologiques essentiels rendus par ces éléments clefs des écosystèmes aquatiques et terrestres. Le projet de recherche appliquée développé dans le cadre de cette thèse s’est attaché à améliorer les connaissances disponibles sur les libellules de Corse, afin de proposer des mesures de conservation et de gestion concrètes en faveur de ce groupe et de ses principaux habitats naturels sur l’île. Dans cet objectif, la première partie de ces travaux s’est employée à combler les principales lacunes de connaissance identifiées par les études antérieures sur la situation des espèces, notamment en intensifiant l’effort de prospection consenti à l’échelle régionale. Les particularités, la répartition, les exigences et habitats écologiques de nombreuses libellules se développant en Corse ont pu être décrits avec précision. Les informations disponibles sur certains taxons à forte valeur patrimoniale ont particulièrement augmenté comme l’illustre la définition très complète de la situation éco-biogéographique de Chalcolestes parvidens. La deuxième partie de ces travaux s’est attachée à évaluer et comparer l’efficacité des principales méthodes d’échantillonnage couramment utilisées pour l’étude des populations d’odonates. Dans ce cadre, les nombreuses informations récoltées sur l’organisation spatiale et la dynamique des populations étudiées ont notamment été employées afin de proposer aux principaux gestionnaires d’espaces naturels de l’île (Conseils départementaux, PNRC, Communes…) des méthodes adaptées pour l’évaluation et le monitoring des espèces à fort enjeu de conservation, dont l’emblématique et menacé Lestes macrostigma.La troisième partie de ces travaux est consacrée au développement d’outils pour le suivi de la qualité des principaux habitats d’odonates. Elle a permis d’aboutir à l’élaboration d’un tout nouvel indice biologique adapté à l’évaluation de l’état écologique des rivières de Corse : « Odonata Community Index – Corsica » (OCIC). Cet outil innovant, basé sur l’étude du peuplement caractéristique des libellules des cours d’eau, s’est montré particulièrement performant lors de sa confrontation aux autres indices biologiques actuellement utilisés sur l’île. L’indice OCIC et le groupe des odonates apparaissent aujourd’hui clairement comme des solutions alternatives prometteuses, en vue d’améliorer l’efficacité du système d’évaluation de la qualité écologique des rivières de Corse, compte tenu des failles de représentativité mises en évidence par les expérimentations réalisées.La dernière partie de cette thèse, basée sur des évaluations patrimoniales et écologiques du peuplement insulaire d’odonates réalisées à l’aide des informations produites, se conclue par le développement de nouveaux dispositifs régionaux de conservation en lien avec les services de l’Etat : un Plan Régional d’Actions, une liste rouge d’espèces menacées ainsi qu’une liste actualisée d’espèces déterminantes pour les Zones Naturelles d’Intérêt Ecologique Faunistique et Floristique. Ces dispositifs permettront d’améliorer l’état de conservation des libellules de Corse et des principales zones humides qui les abritent.Au final, ces travaux de thèse qui ont permis de plus de tripler les données disponibles jusqu’alors sur les libellules de Corse, fourniront un nouveau cadre de développement pour l’odonatologie insulaire. / Corsica is home to a great diversity of wetland subject to anthropogenic pressures and threats which have continued to grow and diversify in recent decades. The conservation of these environments with high heritage value and of the original Odonata community that develops in it, today represents significant environmental and societal challenges in order to preserve essential ecological services provided by these key elements of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The applied research project developed as part of this thesis is focused on improving the knowledge available on the corsican dragonfly’s community, to propose concrete conservation and management measures for this group and its main insular natural habitats.In this objective, the first part of this work has sought to fill principal knowledge gaps identified by previous studies on the situation of listed species, including by greatly intensifying exploration effort at the regional level. The special features, distribution, habitat requirements and ecological of many dragonflies growing in Corsica have been described with great precision. The information available on some taxa with high heritage value increased as illustrated by the comprehensive definition of eco-bio-geographical situation of Chalcolestes parvidens.The second part of this work has sought to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the main sampling methods commonly used for the study of dragonfly’s populations. In this context, the informations collected on the spatial organization and dynamics of the populations studied were especially used to propose appropriate methods for evaluation and monitoring the species to high conservation issue to main managers of natural areas of the island (County Councils, PNRC, municipalities ...), including the emblematic and threatened Lestes macrostigma.The third part of this work is devoted to the development of tools for monitoring the quality of the main Odonata habitats. It lead to the development of a new biological index adapted to assess the ecological status of corsican rivers: "Odonata Community Index - Corsica '(OCIC). This innovative tool, based on the study of characteristics of Odonata community of watercourses, was particularly effective during its confrontation with other biological indicators currently used on the island. The OCIC index today appear clearly as an alternative solution to improve the efficiency of the ecological quality assessment system of the Corsican rivers, given the representativeness vulnerabilities which have been highlighted by the tests performed.The final part of this thesis, based on heritage and environmental assessments of the insular dragonfly’s community made with all the information produced, ended with the development and the proposal of several regional conservation devices whose implementation is encouraged by the state services: a first regional actions plan, a first red list of threatened species and an updated list of species determinative for natural areas of ecological, flora and fauna interest. These important features are intended to contribute to improve the overall state of conservation of Corsican dragonflies and main wetlands that support them. They should enable the implementation of truly operational management actions and ensure better consideration of the main regional conservation and valuation issues identified.In the end, the thesis work that increased more than triple the previously available data on dragonflies of Corsica, will provide a new framework to developpe the isular odonatology.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-125) Also available in print.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T16:22:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao mirian ecologia e evolucao.pdf: 819322 bytes, checksum: c797257c9c87b956f231f859a3ebf44e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-04-07 / The generality of Unified Neutral Theory of Biodiversity and Biogeography was evaluated across its support for diversity structure of Odonata adults and predators, shredders and collectors insect guilds in streams. The evaluation of Neutral Theory was done in two levels of theory s hierarchical structure. One evaluation in the level of yours assumptions, the zero sum assumption, and other in the level of yours predictions to abundance models in communities and metacommunities, ZSM and logseries respectively. The variations predicted to ZSM abundance model, in accordance to dispersal limitation that community are subjected, was evaluated in insect guilds through the streams distance. In Odonata adults the dispersal limitation was evaluated indirectly through regional frequency of species body size. In this case, the ecological equivalence was restricted for body size guilds. Communities of Zygoptera adults have low density and richness within streams. Individuals distribution was grouped, not consistent to linear relation under zero sum assumption. Local abundance of Odonata adults and predators, shredders and collectors guilds didn t fit ZSM model. Geometric series models and logseries models were better in explain the abundance for all groups. Moreover, the occurrence of fit to these models isn t in according to dispersal limitation level that is expected in each region, not supporting the Neutral predictions / A generalidade da Teoria Neutra Unificada para Biodiversidade e Biogeografia foi avaliada através de seu suporte para a estrutura da diversidade de adultos de Odonata e das guildas de insetos predadores, fragmentadores e coletores em córregos. A avaliação da Teoria Neutra foi feita em dois níveis da hierarquia estrutural das Teorias. Uma avaliação no nível de seus pressupostos, o pressuposto de somatório zero, e outra no nível de suas predições para os modelos de distribuição de abundâncias nas comunidades e metacomunidades, respectivamente ZSM e a série logarítmica. As variações preditas para o modelo de abundâncias ZSM, de acordo com a limitação a dispersão que as comunidades estariam sujeitas, foi avaliada nas guildas de insetos através das distâncias dos córregos amostrados. Para os adultos de Odonata, a avaliação da limitação de dispersão foi feita indiretamente através da freqüência regional de tamanhos corporais. Neste caso, o pressuposto de equivalência ecológica foi restringido para guilda de tamanhos corporais. As comunidades de adultos de Zygoptera apresentaram uma baixa densidade e riqueza dentro de córregos. A distribuição de indivíduos foi agrupada o que não está de acordo com o relacionamento linear subjacente ao pressuposto de somatório zero. As abundâncias locais das espécies de adultos de Zygoptera e das guildas de predadores, coletores e fragmentadores não se ajustam ao modelo ZSM. Os modelos série geométrica e série logarítmica foram os que mais explicaram as abundâncias de todos estes grupos. Além do mais, a ocorrência de ajuste a estes modelos não está de acordo com o nível de limitação à dispersão esperado em cada região não suportando as predições da Teoria Neutra

Submitted by Cássia Santos (cassia.bcufg@gmail.com) on 2017-03-21T11:50:30Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Zander Augusto Spigoloni Vilaça - 2017.pdf: 4936242 bytes, checksum: 3e7d05bb80d2c70f737753125ee7f0c3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-03-21T12:18:52Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Zander Augusto Spigoloni Vilaça - 2017.pdf: 4936242 bytes, checksum: 3e7d05bb80d2c70f737753125ee7f0c3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-21T12:18:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Zander Augusto Spigoloni Vilaça - 2017.pdf: 4936242 bytes, checksum: 3e7d05bb80d2c70f737753125ee7f0c3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The distribution of biological diversity is one of the major questions for science. Several theories were proposed in attempt to understand the patterns and process that regulate the richness of extant species: species-energy theory, metabolic theory of ecology, habitat heterogeneity, and tropics as museum, cradle or casino. Terrestrial ecorregions are land units that contain similar biotic and abiotic factors, what makes them more alluring and efficient for conservation planning and land use than using geopolitical divisions, still used by several conservation institutions and governments. Odonata is one of the oldest orders of insect, belonging to the clade Paleoptera. Those insects, for being thightly related to environmental conditions and vegetation structure, are widely utilized as bioindicators and in studies of spatial patterns. In this thesis, we evaluated the lack of knowledge around Odonata geographic distribution in the Neotropical region and the way that its species composition is affected by both climate and space. / A variedade e distribuição da biodiversidade é um dos temas mais estudados na ciência. Na tentativa de compreender os padrões e processos moduladores da riqueza de espécies existente, várias teorias foram geradas: teoria espécie-energia; teoria metabólica ecológica; heterogeneidade de habitat; e trópicos como museu, berço ou cassino. Ecorregiões terrestres são unidades de terra unidas por componentes bióticos e abióticos semelhantes, tornando-as unidades mais operacionais que definições geopolíticas, utilizadas por várias instituições de conservação e governamentais para se criar planejamentos de conservação da biodiversidade e de uso de terras. Odonata é uma das ordens de insetos mais antiga ainda existente, pertencentes ao clado dos Paleoptera. Estes insetos, possuindo ótima relação com as variáveis ambientais e estrutura vegetacional, são largamente utilizados em avaliações de bioindicação e estudos de padrões espaciais. Nesta dissertação avaliamos o estado do déficit de conhecimento sobre as distribuições geográficas da Ordem Odonata no Neotrópico e como o clima e espaço afetam sua composição de espécies.