This degree project examined the effect of time constraint on wing shape and phenotypic variation in wing shape along a latitudinal gradient in the damselfly species Lestes sponsa. Fore and hind wings from individuals originating from three different latitudes: North (66°N), Central (59°N) and South (54°N) Europe were treated with their native temperature and photoperiod. In addition, the north and south populations were treated with south and north conditions respectively, resulting in five groups in total. Morphometric analyses of the wings revealed a positive correlation between body mass and wing centroid size, along with a difference in wing shape between the groups. Forewings and hindwings from the northern group were broader and rounder than wings from the central and southern groups. Additionally, the wings from the transplant groups resembled those of the native group of their treatment, indicating a phenotypic plasticity in wing shape. Lastly, statistical tests of phenotypic variation revealed that variation was highest in relative warp 2 in the forewings and hindwings, and this warp represents the curvature of the wing both upwards/downwards or towards the inside/outside of the wing. These results on phenotypic variation indicate that even in a new or changing environment, L. sponsa could be capable of adapting to varying temperatures and environmental conditions. This study builds our understanding of how this damselfly species, and potentially insects, will be affected by current and future potential climate change.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-410764 |
| Date | January 2020 |
| Creators | Tunon, Meagan |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för biologisk grundutbildning |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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