Altitudinal variation of wing length and wing area in Libellula quadrimaculata (Odonata: Libellulidae)

摘要

The area and length of the right fore and hind wings and the abdomen length were analysed in specimens from two Iberian populations of Libellula quadrimaculata Linnaeus, 1758, one on a plateau (782 m a.s.l.) and another in the mountains (1909 m a.s.l.), with a view to ascertaining whether their morphometric characteristics vary with altitude. Allometric relationships in terms of length and area of the fore and hind wings of both populations were found. The wings are longer and have a greater area in plateau specimens whereas the length of the abdomen did not vary between populations. Between the populations there was an overlap in the wing length measurements. The significance of these parameters in aiding the dragonflies' flight capacity and hence the effects on their lifestyle under different environmental conditions is discussed.