Skip to main content
Log in

Diets and resource partitioning between larvae of three anisopteran species

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Analysis of resource partitioning between larvae of three Anisopteran species showed that Aeshna cyanea and Anax imperator (both Aeshnidae) tended to occupy similar ecological niches which were not shared by Libellula depressa (Libellulidae).

The diets of these predators and comparisons between trophic availability and diets indicated that prey species eaten varied according to season and predator species, and that some selection of prey species occurred.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aubertot, M., 1932. Les sacs peritrophiques d' Aeshna cyanea (Odonates — Anisopteres): leur évacuation périodiques. C. Scéanc. Soc. Biol. 111: 746–748.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, R. L., 1980. Use of space in relation to feeding areas by zygopteran nymphs in captivity. Can. J. Zool. 58: 1060–1065.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, R. L., 1982. Effects of food abondance on growth, survival and use of space by nymphs of Coenagrion resolutum (Zygoptera). Oikos 38: 47–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benke, A., P. H. Crowley & D. M. Johnson, 1982. Interactions among coexisting larval Odonata: an in situ experiment using small enclosures. Hydrobiologia 94: 121–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blois, C., 1983. Partage des ressources entre les larves de trois Anisopteres. Cas particulier: étude expérimentale du choix alimentaire chez Anax imperator. Thèse de 3° cycle: Univ. Rennes I.

  • Blois, C., 1985a. Diet variations according to developmental stage in three anisopteran species. Freshwater Biology in press.

  • Blois, C.,1985b. Répartition spatiale des larves de trois anisopteres. Odonatologica in press.

  • Blois, C., 1985c. Variations of predatory behaviour in Anax imperator larvae in relation to different prey types. Biol. Behav. in press.

  • Boerger, H., 1978. Life history and microhabitat distribution of midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) inhabiting a brownwater stream of Central Alberta, Canada. Ph.D. Thesis: Univ. Alberta Edmonton.

  • Chovet, M., 1976. L'alimentation de la larve de Cordulegaster boltoni (Donov. 1907) (Odonates: Anisoptères) dans son milieu naturel. Thèse de 3° cycle: Univ. Lyon.

  • Chutter, F. M., 1961. Certains aspects of the morphology and ecology of the nymphs of several species of Pseudagrion selys (Odonata). Arch. Hydrobiol. 57: 430–463.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cloarec, A., 1977. Alimentation de larves d'Anax imperator Leach dans son milieu naturel (Anisoptera: Aeshnidae). Odonatologica 6: 227–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowley, P. H. & D. M. Johnson, 1982. Habitat and seasonality as niche axes in an Odonate community. Ecology 63: 1064–1077.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folsom, T. C., 1980. Predation ecology and food limitation of the dragonfly Anax junius (Aeshnidae). Ph.D. Thesis: Univ. Toronto.

  • Giller, P. S. & S. McNeill, 1981. Predation strategies, resource partitioning and habitat selection in Notonecta (Hemiptera: Heteroptera). J. anim. Ecol. 50: 789–808.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, D., 1975. Prey availability and the food of predators. Ecology 56: 1209–1214

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D. M. & P. H. Crowley, 1980. Habitat and seasonal segregation among coexisting odonate larvae. Odonatologica 9: 297–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johannsson, O. E., 1978. Co-existence of larval Zygoptera (Odonata) common to the norfolk Broads (U.K.). Oecologia 32: 303–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kormondy, E. J. & J. L. Gower, 1965. Life history variations in an association of Odonata. Ecology 46: 882–886.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawton, H. H., 1970. A population study on larvae of the damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphulea (Sulzer) (Odonata: Zygoptera). Hydrobiologia 36: 33–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merrill, R. J. & D. M. Johnson, 1984. Dietary niche overlap and mutual predation among coexisting larval Anisoptera. Odonatologica 13: 387–406.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pianka, E. R., 1973. The structure of lizard communities. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 4: 53–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, G., 1964. The prey of dragonfly larvae (Odonata: Anisoptera) in ponds in Northern Alberta. Can. J. Zool. 42: 785–800.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, G., 1965. Prey capture by dragonfly larvae (Odonata: Anisoptera). Can. J. Zool. 43: 271–289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pyke, G. H., A. R. Pulliam & E. L. Charnov, 1977. Optimal foraging: a selective review of theory and tests. Q. Rev. Biol. 52: 137–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoener, T. W., 1974. Resource partitioning in ecological communities. Science 185: 27–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staddon, B. W. & D. Griffith, 1967. Some observations on the food of Aeshna juncea (L.) nymphs (Odonata) with particular reference to Corixidae (Hemiptera). Ent. mon. Mag. 103: 226–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, D. J., 1978. The natural prey of larvae of damselfly. Freshwat. Biol. 8: 377–384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robert, P. A., 1958. Les Libellules (Odonates). Delachaux & Niestlé, S. A. Neuchatel, Paris, 345 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanderploeg, H. A. & D. Scavia, 1979. Calculation and use of selectivity coefficients of feeding: zooplankton grazing. Ecol. Model. 7: 135–149.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Blois, C. Diets and resource partitioning between larvae of three anisopteran species. Hydrobiologia 126, 221–227 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00007499

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00007499

Keywords

Navigation