Wings of Coenagrion puella vary in shape at the northern range margin (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Abstract

A previous study has shown that wing size in Coenagrion puella varied considerably along a latitudinal gradient in the UK. Using landmark data from wing images, patterns of shape variation were also determined along the same transect by geometric morphometric analysis of wing shape. Wing shape was uniform at all sites other than those closest to the range margin, which differed significantly. The potential mechanisms that might have generated such between-population variation are discussed.

Keywords: Odonata, dragonfly, wing, venation, range shift, geometric morphometries, Coenagrion puella

Issue section: Article