Predator-driven trait diversification in a dragonfly genus: covariation in behavioral and morphological antipredator defense.
Proof for predation as an agent shaping evolutionary trait diversification is accumulating, however, our understanding how multiple antipredator traits covary due to phenotypic differentiation is still scarce. Species of the dragonfly genus Leucorrhinia underwent shifts from lakes with fish as top predators to fishless lakes with large dragonfly predators. This move to fishless lakes was accompanied by a partial loss and reduction of larval spines. Here, we show that Leucorrhinia also reduced burst swimming speed and its associated energy fuelling machinery, arginine kinase activity, when invading fishless lakes. This results in patterns of positive phylogenetic trait covariation between behavioral and morphological antipredator defense (trait cospecialization) and between behavioral antipredator defense and physiological machinery (trait codependence). Across species patterns of trait covariation between spine status, burst swimming speed and arginine kinase activity also matched findings within the phenotypically plastic L. dubia. Our results highlight the importance of predation as a factor affecting patterns of multiple trait covariation during phenotypic diversification.
Mikolajewski
Dirk J
DJ
Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Charles Debériotstraat 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. d.mikolajewski@daad-alumni.de
De Block
Marjan
M
Rolff
Jens
J
Johansson
Frank
F
Beckerman
Andrew P
AP
Stoks
Robby
R
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001122:Arginine Kinase / Q000235:genetics; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D014644:Genetic Variation; D007313:Insecta / Q000235:genetics*; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010641:Phenotype; D010802:Phylogeny; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D013045:Species Specificity
D001122:Arginine Kinase