Molecular phylogenetic analysis and its impact on the conservation of Ischnura rubilio Selys, 1876 (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) in Taiwan

Fang-Shuo Hua,b , Ryo Futahashic

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70 Lienhai Rd., Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
  2. Dragonfly Association of Taiwan, 2F., No. 5, Long’an Rd., Xinzhuang Dist., New Taipei City 242046, Taiwan
  3. Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba 305-8566, Japan

International Journal of Odonatology, Volume 26, Pages 63-73, 2023
https://doi.org/10.48156/1388.2023.1917031
Published: 31 May 2023 (Received: 6 January 2023, Accepted: 25 May 2023)

Abstract

Although Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865) was traditionally considered to be widely distributed in Asia, the populations west of continental China have recently been identified as equivalent to Ischnura rubilio Selys, 1876. While the Taiwanese population has long been regarded as I. aurora as well, Taiwan in fact represents the distribution boundary between I. aurora and I. rubilio. Based on molecular and morphological analyses, we confirm that the “I. aurora-like” damselfly in Taiwan corresponds to I. rubilio. It is noteworthy that the abdominal blue spots of males in the Taiwan population have a unique phenotype compared to those found in specimens from India and continental China. According to past references and current surveys, the I. rubilio population in Taiwan has critically declined, with only one confirmed locality currently remaining. To maintain the Taiwanese population of I. rubilio, we recommend that prompt conservation measures of the habitat be implemented, focusing on the concept of the Satoyama Initiative.

Keywords: Damselfly, identification, integrative taxonomy, Satoyama Initiative, water terrace

Issue section: Original Article