Calopteryx exul

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Glittering demoiselle
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Calopterygidae
Genus: Calopteryx
Species:
C. exul
Binomial name
Calopteryx exul
Sélys, 1853

Calopteryx exul (glittering demoiselle) is an endangered species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae. It is endemic to Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. The species lives in isolated subpopulations within fragmented habitats, and the largest populations found were located in Northeast Algeria. [2] [3] Their preferred habitat is lotic systems, featuring fast and shallow water, sparse vegetation, and a low amount of shade. [4] [5]

Contents

This is a large damselfly with a total length of up to 50 mm. Unlike most other Calopteryx damselflies, the wings are unbanded in both sexes although the male has metallic venation that produce a distinctive blue flash on each wing beat when the insect is flying in the sun. The males in this species tend to be territorial and when the females lay their eggs in patches of plants the males guard the plants. This species is known for having a partial bivoltine life cycle. [6] C. exul is believed to be an offshoot of splendens-like taxa from the Central Mediterranean islands and peninsular Italy. [7]

Lifecycle

Mating occurs on patches of vegetation on the water. [8] Female glittering demoiselle then select target host plants by vision, and oviposit the eggs in floating leaves. [3] [9] Some of the plants that C. exul is known to use for oviposition include Typha angustifolia, Paspalum distichum, and Potamogeton nodosus. [3] The larvae are approximately 22 mm long, have ocelli, are relatively covered with setae, and are yellow to brownish in color. [10]

The adult flight period of glittering demoiselle has two generations, the first and longer generation from early May to late July, and the second shorter generation from September to October. [4]

Behavior

Glittering demoiselle can undertake long distance dispersal to seek out more suitable habitats, and travel distances up to five kilometers away. [5] Individuals hunt with ambush tactics, and often engage in communal roosting overnight. [8]

Conservation

Rivers are threatened by pollution and anthropogenic activity. The oviposition of this species has a limited number of host plants, and preservation of these plants in their natural environments promotes colonization. [11] One of the major concerns for this species is drought which affects both the water level and flow, and can contribute to the extirpation of a subpopulation. [9]

See Also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damselfly</span> Suborder of insects

Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies but are usually smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the wings along the body when at rest, unlike dragonflies which hold the wings flat and away from the body. Damselflies have existed since the Late Jurassic, and are found on every continent except Antarctica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banded demoiselle</span> Species of damselfly

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful demoiselle</span> Species of damselfly

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calopterygidae</span> Family of damselflies

Calopterygidae is a family of damselflies, in the suborder Zygoptera. They are commonly known as the broad-winged damselflies, demoiselles, or jewelwings. These rather large damselflies have wingspans of 50–80 mm, are often metallic-coloured, and can be differentiated from other damselflies by the broader connection between the wings and the body, as opposed to the abrupt narrowing seen in other damselfly families. The family contains some 150 species.

<i>Calopteryx angustipennis</i> Species of damselfly

Calopteryx angustipennis is a species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae known commonly as the Appalachian jewelwing. It is endemic to the United States, where it occurs in the southeastern and eastern states.

<i>Calopteryx</i> (damselfly) Genus of damselflies

Calopteryx is a genus of large damselflies belonging to the family Calopterygidae. The colourful males often have coloured wings whereas the more muted females usually have clear wings although some develop male (androchrome) wing characteristics. In both sexes, there is no pterostigma.

<i>Calopteryx syriaca</i> Species of damselfly

Calopteryx syriaca is a species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae known commonly as the Syrian demoiselle. It is native to the southern Levant, where it is known from Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria. This is sometimes considered to be a subspecies of the banded demoiselle.

<i>Hetaerina</i> Genus of damselflies

Hetaerina is a genus of damselflies in the family Calopterygidae. They are commonly known as rubyspots because of the deep red wing bases of the males. The name is from Ancient Greek: ἑταίρα (hetaira), courtesan. H. rudis, the Guatemalan rubyspot, is considered vulnerable on the IUCN Red Data List.

<i>Phaon iridipennis</i> Species of damselfly

Phaon iridipennis, commonly known as the glistening demoiselle or glinsterjuffertjie, is a species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae.

<i>Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis</i> Species of damselfly

Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis is a species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae known by the common names copper demoiselle and Mediterranean demoiselle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western demoiselle</span> Species of damselfly

The western demoiselle or yellow-tailed demoiselle is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. It replaces the banded demoiselle in southern France and the Iberian Peninsula, and is sometimes considered a subspecies of that species.

<i>Proischnura polychromatica</i> Species of damselfly

Proischnura polychromatica, the mauve bluet, is a small species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is endemic to a small area of Cape Province in South Africa. The adult male has a mauve sheen to its dark-coloured body, a bronze-green thorax striped with mauve, and a pale brown abdomen with a bronze-green dorsal stripe. The female is mainly pale brown. The natural habitat of this damselfly is transient pools in stream beds with floating vegetation, especially sedges. Although previously more widespread, it is now known from a single location where it is threatened by the encroachment of cattle and the loss of suitable habitat. For these reasons, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as "endangered".

<i>Calopteryx dimidiata</i> Species of damselfly

Calopteryx dimidiata, the sparkling jewelwing, is a species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae. It is endemic to the eastern and southeastern United States. Its natural habitat is woodland and open areas near forest rivers and streams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calopteryginae</span> Subfamily of damselflies

Calopteryginae is a subfamily of broad-winged damselflies in the family Calopterygidae. There are about 17 genera and more than 160 described species in Calopteryginae.

Calopteryx cornelia is a species of broad-winged damselfly in the family Calopterygidae.

Calopteryx hyalina is a species of broad-winged damselfly in the family Calopterygidae.

Calopteryx orientalis is a species of broad-winged damselfly in the family Calopterygidae.

References

  1. Boudot, J.-P. (2018). "Calopteryx exul". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T60287A72725790. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T60287A72725790.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. Amari, H., Bensouilah, S., Khelifa, R., Sakrane, NE., Youcefi, A., Zebsa, R. (2014). “Long-range movements of an endangered endemic damselfly Calopteryx exul Selys, 1853 (Calopterygidae: Odonata)”. African Journal of Ecology, 375-377. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12107
  3. 1 2 3 Mellal, Mohamed; Bensouilah, Mourad (11 September 2018). "Reproductive habitat provisioning promotes survival and reproduction of the endangered endemic damselfly Calopteryx exul". Journal of Insect Conservation. 22 (3–4): 563–570. doi:10.1007/s10841-018-0085-5. S2CID   53098955.
  4. 1 2 Amari, H., Bensouilah, S., Kahalerras, A., Khelifa, R., Mahdjoub, H., Samways, MJ., Zebsa, R. (2023). “Condition-dependent survival and movement behavior in an endangered endemic damselfly”. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48162-w
  5. 1 2 Khelfa, R. (2013). “Flight period, apparent sex-ratio and habitat preferences of the Maghribian endemic Calopteryx exul Selys, 1853 (Odonota: Zygoptera)”. Revue d’Ecologie (La Terre et La Vie), 37-45. <https://www.persee.fr/doc/revec_0249-7395_2013_num_68_1_1674>
  6. Khelifa, Rassim (11 July 2016). "Partial bivoltinism and emergence patterns in the North African endemic damselfly Calopteryx exul: conservation implications". African Journal of Ecology. 55 (2): 145–151. doi:10.1111/aje.12332.
  7. De Jonckheere, JF., Dumont, HJ., Weekers, PHH. (2001). “Phylogenetic relationships inferred from ribosomal ITS sequences and biogeographic patterns in representatives of the genus Calopteryx (Insecta: Odonata) of the west Mediterranean and adjacent west European zone”. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 89-99. https://doi.org/10.1006/mpev.2001.0947
  8. 1 2 Amari, H., Bensouilah, S., Khelifa, R., Mahdjoub, H., Youcefi, A., Zebsa, R., Zouaimia, A. (2023).  “Potential fitness consequences of roosting spatiotemporal selection in an endangered endemic damselfly: conservation implications”. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.1267705
  9. 1 2 Khelifa, R., Mahdjoub, H., Samways, MJ. (2021). “Effects of both climate change and human water demand on a highly threatened damselfly”. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86383-z
  10. Khelifa, R. (2012). “Description of the final instar larva of Calopteryx exul Sélys, 1853 (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae)”. International Journal of Odonatology, 107-114. https://doi.org/10.1080/13887890.2012.689944
  11. Khelifa, R., Mellal, MK. (2017). “Host-plant-based restoration as a potential tool to improve conservation status of odonate specialists”. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 151-160. https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.12212