Dragons fly, biologists classify: an overview of molecular odonate studies, and our evolutionary understanding of dragonfly and damselfly (Insecta: Odonata) behavior

Dragons fly, biologists classify: an overview of molecular odonate studies, and our evolutionary understanding of dragonfly and damselfly (Insecta: Odonata) behavior 00

Elizabeth F. Ballare^a ✉️ , Jessica L. Ware^a

Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers , The State University of New Jersey, Newark, USA

International Journal of Odonatology, Volume 14, Issue 2, Pages 137-147, 2011

https://doi.org/10.1080/13887890.2011.579538

Published: 1 June 2011 (Received: 18 November 2010, Accepted: 3 April 2011)

Abstract

Among insects, perhaps the most appreciated are those that are esthetically pleasing: few capture the interest of the public as much as vibrantly colored dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata). These remarkable insects are also extensively studied. Here, we review the history of odonate systematics, with an emphasis on discrepancies among studies. Over the past century, relationships among Odonata have been reinterpreted many times, using a variety of data from wing vein morphology to DNA. Despite years of study, there has been little consensus about odonate taxonomy. In this review, we compare odonate molecular phylogenetic studies with respect to gene and model selection, optimality criterion, and dataset completeness. These differences are discussed in relation to the evolution of dragonfly behavior.

Keywords: Odonata, mitochondrion, nuclear, phylogeny, systematic, dragonfly, damselfly

Issue section: Article