Strong longitudinal variation in wing aspect ratio of a damselfly, Calopteryx maculata (Odonata: Zygoptera)

Geographical patterns in body size have been described across a wide range of species, leading to the development of a series of fundamental biological rules. However, shape variables are less well-described despite having substantial consequences for organismal performance. Wing aspect ratio (AR) has been proposed as a key shape parameter that determines function in flying animals, with high AR corresponding to longer, thinner wings that promote high manoeuvrability, low speed flight, and low AR corresponding to shorter, broader wings that promote high efficiency long distance flight. From this principle it might be predicted that populations at range edges would exhibit low AR wings. I test this hypothesis using the riverine damselfly, Calopteryx maculata, sampled from 34 sites across its range margin in North America. Nine hundred and seven male specimens were captured from across the 34 sites (mean=26.7 ±2.9 SE per site), dissected and measured to quantify the area and length of all four wings. Geometric morphometrics were employed to investigate geographical variation in wing shape. The majority of variation in wing shape involved changes in wing aspect ratio, confirmed independently by geometric morphometrics and wing measurements. There was a weak positive relationship between wing aspect ratio and temperature, in line with work on other insects. However, there was a strong longitudinal pattern in which western populations exhibited lower wing aspect ratio. This longitudinal pattern may be related to increasing variability in precipitation from east to west in North America. I discuss my findings in light of research of the functional ecology of wing shape across vertebrate and invertebrate taxa