Abstract
Reproductive behaviors related to habitat utilization were studied in males of the damsefly,Mnais nawai, which has two male forms, territorial orange-winged males (nawai) and non-territorial pale-orange-winged males (sahoi), at the upper part of a mountain stream where they partiallycoexist with a related species,Mnais pruinosa, which also has two male forms, territorial orange-winged males (esakii) and non-territorial hyaline-winged males (strigata). These two species showed parapatric distribution; the lower part of the stream was occupied byM. nawai, and the upper part byM. pruinosa. In the present study, cross-matings occurred between bothMnais species, although normal intraspecific matings occurred more frequently than cross-matings. Territorial males of both species copulated with conspecific females that entered their territory and guarded the ovipositing females, probably to avoid sperm displacement resulting from subsequent copulations. Severe competition for oviposition sites by territorial males even occurred between the two species. On the other hand, non-territorial males of both species have alternative mating strategies (including several tactics such as sneaking, takeover and interception). The possible benefits from conflict among territorial males of both species is discussed.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Asahina, S. (1976) A revisional study of the genusMnais (Odonata, Calopterygidae). VIII. A proposed taxonomy of JapaneseMnais.Tombo 19: 2–16.
Eguchi, M. (1980) Population strategy of two species in genusMnais coexisting at the stream.Kotaigun-seitaigakkai-kaiho (Bulletin of the Society of Population Ecology) 33: 10–19 (in Japanese).
Higashi, K. (1981) A description of territorial and reproductive behaviours inMnais pruinosa Selys (Odonata: Calopterygidae).Journal of the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Saga University 13: 123–140.
Higashi, K. and T. Uéda (1982) Territoriality and movement pattern in a population ofCalopteryx cornelia (Selys) (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae).Odonatologica 11: 129–137.
Ishida, S., K. Ishida, K. Kojima and M. Sugimura (1988)Illustrated guide for identification of the Japanese Odonata. Tokai University Press. (in Japanese)
Jacobs, M. E. (1955) Studies on territorialism and sexual selection in dragonflies.Ecology 36: 566–586.
Lomnicki, A. (1988)Population ecology on individuals. Princeton University Press, Princeton.
Lotka, A. J. (1925)Elements of physical biology. Williams and Milins, Baltimore.
Manly, B. F. J. and M. J. Parr (1968) A new method of estimating population size, survivorship, and birth rate from capture-recapture data.Transactions of the British Society of Entomology 18: 81–89.
Morisita, M. (1959) Measuring of interspecific association and similarity between communities.Memories of Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Series E (Biology) 2: 215–235.
Nomakuchi, S. (1988) Reproductive behavior of females and its relation to the mating success of two male forms inMnais pruinosa (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae).Ecological Research 3: 195–203.
Nomakuchi, S. (1992) Male reproductive polymorphism and formspecific habitat utilization of the damseflyMnais pruinosa (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae).Ecological Research 7: 87–96.
Nomakuchi, S. and K. Higashi (1985) Patterns of distribution and territoriality in the two male forms ofMnais pruinosa pruinosa Selys (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae).Odonatologica 14: 301–11.
Nomakuchi, S., K. Higashi and M. Maeda (1988) Synchronization of reproductive period among the two male forms and female of the damselflyMnais pruinosa Selys (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae).Ecological Research 3: 75–87.
Nomakuchi, S., K. Higashi, M. Harada and M. Maeda (1984) An experimental study of the territoriality inMnais pruinosa pruinosa Selys (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae).Odonatologica 13: 259–67.
Hamada, K. and K. Inoue (1985)The dragonflies of Japan in colour. Kodansha. (in Japanese)
Pajunen, V. I. (1964) Aggressive behaviour inLeucorrhinia caudalis Charp. (Odonata: Libellulidae).Annales Zoologici Fennici 1: 354–369.
Pajunen, V. I. (1966a) The influence of population density on the territorial behaviour ofLeucorrhinia rubicunda L. (Odonata: Libellulidae).Annales Zoologici Fennici 3: 40–52.
Pajunen, V. I. (1966b) Aggressive behaviour and territoriality in a population ofCalopteryx virgo L. (Odonata: Calopterygidae).Annales Zoologici Fennici 3: 201–214.
Siva-Jothy, M. T. and Y. Tsubaki (1989a) Variation in copulation duration inMnais pruinosa pruinosa Selys (Odonata: Calopterygidae). 1. Alternative mating tactics and sperm precedence.Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 24: 39–45.
Siva-Jothy, M. T. and Y. Tsubaki (1989b) Variation in copulation duration inMnais pruinosa pruinosa Selys (Odonata: Calopterygidae). 2. Causal factors.Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 25: 261–267.
Suzuki, K. (1984) Character displacement and evolution of theMnais damselflies (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae).Odonatologica 13: 287–300.
Suzuki, K., H. Ubukata and M. Eguchi (1980) Infrasubspecific forms, habitat segregation and reproductive isolation amongMnais-damselflies (Odonata, Calopterygidae) at the Hokuriku and Hokkaido districts, Japan, with a historical review on the classification of the species,Konchû, Tokyo 48: 169–192.
Ubukata, H. (1979) Mating strategies inMnais pruinosa costalis Selys: a preliminary report.Konchû to Shizen 14: 41–44. (in Japanese)
Volterra, V. (1931) Variations and fluctuations of the number of individuals in animal species living together. pp. 412–433.In R. N. Chapman (ed.)Animal ecology, McGraw-Hill.
Waage, J. K. (1975) Reproductive isolation and the potential for character displacement in the damselflies,Calopteryx maculata andC. aequabilis (Odonata: Calopterygidae).Systematic Zoology 24: 24–36.
Waage, J. K. (1979) Dual function of the damselfly penis: Sperm removal and transfer.Science 203: 916–18.
Watanabe, M. and M. taguchi (1990) Mating tactics and male wing dimorphism in the damselfly,Mnais pruinosa costalis Selys (Odonata: Calopterygidae).Journal of Ethology 8: 129–37.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nomakuchi, S., Higashi, K. Competitive habitat utilization in the damselfly,Mnais nawai (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae) coexisting with a related species,Mnais pruinosa . Res Popul Ecol 38, 41–50 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02514969
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02514969